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DENVER, CO - On August 7, two new laws will go into effect. HB24-1004 will strengthen our workforce and reduce recidivism by ensuring Coloradans involved with the criminal legal system can re-enter the workforce, acquire professional credentials, support their families, and succeed in their careers. HB24-1291 will make certain civil legal services more accessible and affordable to Coloradans.
“This legislation is crucial in bridging the gap between workforce shortages and Coloradans involved with the criminal legal system who are trying to break their way out of cycles of incarceration,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1004. “Current Colorado law makes it difficult for Coloradans with criminal records to qualify for certain careers, reducing their ability to find a good-paying job. With this legislation, we’re making it easier for Coloradans to successfully re-enter our communities and reduce recidivism.”
“We’re committed to addressing workforce shortages in critical industries, which is why we passed this legislation to enhance career opportunities in sectors that are crucial for our economy,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, sponsor of HB24-1004. “With this legislation, previously incarcerated Coloradans will have an easier path to success and industries will have more qualified candidates to choose from to fill job vacancies. We’re committed to keeping Coloradans safe, and this law helps more people enter the workforce while prioritizing public safety.”
HB24-1004 establishes a uniform process for considering criminal records in occupational registration, certification, and licensure applications. The law includes a wide range of careers, from the construction and banking industries to IT. It prohibits regulators from automatically refusing to grant or renew a license based on an applicant’s criminal record unless the applicant’s conviction is directly related to a specific element of the occupation and is still relevant at the time of an individual’s application.
Representatives Bacon and Bird also passed a 2022 law ensuring that applicants could only be denied based on their criminal history if it affected their ability to perform their job safely and competently.
In a second bill going into effect next week, HB24-1291, a rule change adopted by the Colorado Supreme Court in 2023 allowing legal paraprofessionals to represent clients in some civil matters will be codified in Colorado law.
“Legal services like legal separations can be costly, especially when attorney fees get added to the bill,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB24-1291. "With our new law going into effect, we’re codifying into Colorado law that licensed legal paraprofessionals can perform certain civil services, making legal access more equitable for low-income Coloradans, seniors, people with disabilities, and other communities that can’t easily afford these services.”
“Money should not stand in the way of someone accessing the legal services they need to move forward in life,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1291. "By allowing licensed legal paraprofessionals to practice a limited scope of law, our law ensures that more Coloradans, regardless of their economic status, can access legal representation for important life-changing matters.”
Under the law, a licensed legal paraprofessional will be able to represent a client in:
A legal separation, declaration of invalidity of marriage, or dissolution of marriage or civil union,
A matter involving the establishment or modification of child support or maintenance,
Seeking, modifying, or terminating a civil protection order,
A name change, and
A request to amend a birth certificate to change the sex designation of an adult.