HB22-1319 PASSES THE SENATE!

RMIAN celebrates the bi-partisan passage of House Bill 22-1319 (HB22-1319) through the Senate on May 2, 2022. HB22-1319 will give children in federal custody access to state court proceedings through a streamlined dependency process. This new state court proceeding will provide abused and neglected children with a pathway towards safety and stability in the United States.

 Various members of RMIAN’s Children’s Program played a crucial role in bringing this legislation forward. Specifically, Iva Velickovic and Ashley Harrington worked with legislators and stakeholders in drafting the legislation and bringing supporters on board. Georgina Olazcon Mozo provided compelling testimony to legislators about the unaccompanied children this legislation will impact.

Pictured: Ashley Harrington, Children’s Program Managing Attorney (left) and Georgina Olazcon Mozo, Children’s Program Senior Staff Attorney (right) giving testimony to legislators.

RMIAN expresses sincere gratitude to the bill’s sponsors, Representative Serena Gonzales Gutierrez, Representative Iman Jodeh and Senator Julie Gonzales. RMIAN also wishes to recognize Denise Maes, Ashley Chase, Stephanie Villafuerte, Zara Levy, and Rachel Kelly for their testimony in support of the bill. Finally, RMIAN thanks the bill’s supporters including Jefferson County, the Office of the Child’s Representative, the Child Protection Ombudsman of Colorado, the Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel, the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, and the Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy & Research Organization. RMIAN looks forward to Governor Polis signing this important legislation into law!