CO HB19-1123

Income Tax Deduction For 529 Account K-12 Expenses

Description

Current law allows contributions to a qualified state tuition program, also known as a 529 account, so long as the distributions are used for qualified higher education expenses, with some exceptions, but not for elementary or secondary tuition expenses.  The federal "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", which becmae law in December 2017, added distributions for tuition expenses in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school as qualified distributions therby allowing, on the federal level, income tax-free distributions for certain elementary and secondary education expenses in addition to already authorized income tax-free distributions for higher education expenses.  The bill makes similar changes to Colorado law to allow a deduction for contributions to qualified state tuition programs for tuition expenses in connection with enrollmment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school and designateing such expenses as qualified distributions, which ensure that a taxpayer does not encounter tax recapture of any claimed deductions when such contributions are distributed for tuition expenses in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school.  

http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1123       Current Status of the bill:   FAILED IN COMMITTEE

CO HB19-1186

School Employment Background Check Clarification

Description

Under current law, school employees are required to undergo a fingerprint-based background check. In most statutes, the fingerprints can be taken by a qualified law enforcement agency, an authorized employee of the school or school district, or a third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation, but a few statutes do not authorize fingerprints to be taken by an authorized school or school district employee. The bill adds that authorization to those statutes. The bill requires a law enforcement agency to take the fingerprints of an applicant if an approved third-party vendor is not operating within 20 miles of a school district, charter school, or nonpublic school in the agency's jurisdiction. The bill states that a school or school district employee can use any fingerprinting equipment that meets the federal bureau of investigation 500 ppi standards.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1186   Current Status of the bill:  INTRODUCED INTO THE HOUSE

CO HB19-1083

Athletic Trainers License

Description

The bill changes the terms describing the regulation of athletic trainers from "registration" to "license" and "licensure" and from "registrant" and "registered athletic trainer" to "licensee". (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) 

Amends concussion section governing school districts and private schools to include "licensed" rather than "registered" athletic trainer.

http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1083    Current Status of the bill:  PASSED HOUSE, IN SENATE

CO SB19-069

Nonpublic School Teacher Development Programs

Description

Under existing law, school districts, charter schools, and the state charter school institute are permitted to operate induction programs for teachers, special services providers, principals, and administrators, and alternative licensure programs for teachers and principals who do not hold professional licenses. The bill clarifies that nonpublic schools may operate such programs. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-069   Current Status of the bill:  PASSED SENATE, PASSED HOUSE, Awaiting Governor's Signature