HB 20-1396

Abstract

The state work force development council (state council), in collaboration with the department of higher education, the department of labor and employment, and the department of human services (state agencies), is required to implement and maintain a free online platform (platform) to provide Coloradans with personalized information to assist them in making career and education planning decisions; except that this requirement is subject to available appropriations or money from other sources. The state council and the state agencies may conduct outreach and training for the individuals who provide career counseling and for the public to promote awareness of the platform. For the purposes of implementing and maintaining the platform, the state council may receive money from other state agencies, the general assembly may appropriate money to the state council, and the state council may solicit, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations. The state council may transfer any money appropriated by the general assembly for the purposes of the platform to the department of higher education to implement and maintain the platform, to disseminate information regarding the platform, and to provide training about the platform. The governor's office of information technology (office) is required to ensure that the platform complies with state and federal information technology security and privacy requirements and standards. To ensure such compliance, the office is required to ensure that the contract for the platform includes a requirement that the vendor conduct an external security assessment that complies with the office's requirements and standards and that the assessment and remediation plan be shared with the office. In addition, the state auditor may, in his or her discretion, conduct an audit or assessment of the online platform and of the administration and maintenance of the platform. The authority to implement and maintain the platform is repealed, effective June 30, 2025. Before the repeal, the joint technology committee is required to assess the impact, effectiveness, and compliance with state and federal information technology requirements and standards of the platform and to make a recommendation to the general assembly regarding whether to continue the platform. The act specifies that the department of higher education shall provide certain notice that it is already required by law to provide to certain students and parents of students in Colorado, through the platform. In addition, the act repeals requirements that each board of education and the state charter school institute ensure that students in the sixth grade are registered with a previously used online platform, known as College in Colorado. The act repeals the talent pipeline cash fund and authorizes the general assembly to appropriate money from the general fund to the state council for the purposes of the state council. The act also specifies that state council requirements related to career pathways are subject to available appropriation or money from other sources. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)