1. (1) The department, in consultation with the department of public health and environment, shall conduct or contract for a study to determine the feasibility of de-linking eligibility for the federal child and adult care food program from the Colorado child care assistance program. The study must include:

   1. (a) Research on alternative eligibility processes for participation in the federal child and adult care food program that is specifically tailored for license-exempt family, friend, and neighbor providers, as described in section 26.5-3-808; and
   2. (b) Guidelines and best practices for the implementation of alternative eligibility processes to ensure adequate oversight without creating undue administrative burdens for the department or license-exempt family, friend, and neighbor providers, while ensuring the nutritional well-being of children in the provider's care.

Source: L. 2024: Entire section added, (HB 24-1223), ch. 390, p. 2700, § 9, effective June 4.

Editor's note: This section was numbered as § 26.5-4-121 in HB 24-1223 but was renumbered on revision for ease of location.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 24-1223, see section 1 of chapter 390, Session Laws of Colorado 2024.