State education department checks school records against missing-child reports

The Colorado Department of Education compares the missing-child list with its comprehensive list of public school students. The comparison covers the department’s comprehensive list of students enrolled in Colorado public schools. If the department identifies a missing child, it must notify the law enforcement agency that submitted the report. Information received or sent under this rule is confidential and may be used only for law enforcement. The act is scheduled to take effect August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition is filed. If referred, it takes effect only if voters approve it in November 2026.

The act repeals the requirement for local education providers to adopt and share a policy about using paper for parts of state computer-based tests. The repealed subsection covered local education providers and state assessment sections students would otherwise complete on a computer. The act is scheduled to take effect August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition is filed. If referred, it takes effect only if voters approve it in November 2026.

Small school districts and qualifying charter school networks may submit one plan to meet school plan requirements. The district option applies to districts with 200 students or fewer. The network option applies to charter school networks with 200 students or fewer that have a single authorizer. A district may submit one plan to satisfy both district and school plan requirements. A charter school network may submit one plan to satisfy its schools’ plan requirements only if it has 200 students or fewer and one authorizer. The act is scheduled to take effect August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition is filed. If referred, it takes effect only if voters approve it in November 2026.

The Department of Education must not describe a voluntary data request as mandatory or make an unrelated benefit depend on completing it. The rule covers requests to school districts, the State Charter School Institute, and public schools, and benefits to those entities. A benefit may still depend on completing a data request required by a specific grant. The act is scheduled to take effect August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition is filed. If referred, it takes effect only if voters approve it in November 2026.