2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 26 - HUMAN SERVICES CODE (§§ 26-1-101 — 26-24-101) › Article 5.7 - HOMELESS YOUTH (§§ 26-5.7-101 — 26-5.7-110) › Section 26-5.7-108 - [Effective 8/7/2024] Voluntary alternative residence - lack of parental agreement

(1)
If the youth and the youth's parent cannot agree on an initial voluntary alternative residence within twenty-one days after admission to the alternative out-of-home residence, a referral to the county department may be made.
(2)
The licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter to which the youth has been admitted may arrange for the establishment of a supervised independent living arrangement or may arrange a voluntary residential agreement between the youth and a relative or other responsible adult, a licensed child care facility, or licensed homeless youth shelter if the youth has been admitted to a licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter and:
(a)
Twenty-one days have passed since admission;
(b)
The youth's parent cannot be found after diligent effort by the facility or shelter to locate such parent, the youth's parent has failed to respond to a notice sent by the facility or shelter, or the youth's parent has renounced responsibility for the youth; and
(c)
The youth has no suitable place to live other than the home of the youth's parent.
(3)
A supervised independent living arrangement can only be established pursuant to subsection (2) of this section if:
(a)
The youth has not been deemed to have a substance use disorder and is in need of treatment;
(b)
The youth is not currently demonstrating behavior that poses a danger to the youth or others;
(c)
The youth is not engaging in persistent high-risk behavior that renders the youth inappropriate for an independent living arrangement through a placement alternative commission plan pursuant to section
19-1-116
, C.R.S., or foster care placement through the county department; and
(d)
The youth has an ability and capacity to manage his or her own affairs, demonstrates emotional independence, and has the opportunity and ability to achieve financial independence through legitimate activities and life skills, including the following:
(I)
Educational accomplishments or a plan for achieving educational goals;
(II)
A vocational plan or goal; and
(III)
An opportunity or ability to achieve adequate housing and living arrangements apart from the youth's parent, guardian, or custodian.
(4)
(a)
For the purposes of this article, a voluntary residential agreement shall not require the county department to assume custody of the youth or to exercise any parental power or control over the youth or require medical assistance under articles
4
,
5
, and
6
of title
25.5
, C.R.S.
(b)
A person assuming responsibility for the youth shall have the authority to:
(I)
Enroll the youth in the school district in which the youth resides, pursuant to the voluntary residential agreement; and
(II)
Authorize and obtain preventive medical and dental care and treatment for the youth.
Amended by 2024 Ch. 221,§ 5, eff. 8/7/2024.
Amended by 2017 Ch. 263, § 222, eff. 5/25/2017.
L. 97: Entire article added, p. 981, § 2, effective May 22. L. 2006: (4)(a) amended, p. 2018, § 104, effective July 1. L. 2011: (1), IP(2), and (2)(a) amended, (HB 11 -1079), ch. 83, p. 225, § 3, effective August 10. L. 2017: (3)(a) amended, (SB 17-242), ch. 263, p. 1334, § 222, effective May 25.
2024 Ch. 221, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.
For the legislative declaration in SB 17-242, see section 1 of chapter 263, Session Laws of Colorado 2017.