Colorado Domestic Exchange Program

Second Regular Session Seventy-fifth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO INTRODUCED SENATE BILL 26-069 LLS NO. 26-0479.01 Ken Fowler x2372 SENATE SPONSORSHIP Daugherty and Michaelson Jenet, HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Lukens, Senate Committees House Committees Education A BILL FOR AN ACT CONCERNING ESTABLISHMENT OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.) The bill establishes the Colorado domestic exchange program (program) in the Colorado department of education (department). The program facilitates a 2-week exchange program for high school seniors the summer after their high school graduation. The students participating in the program spend one week in another state and one week hosting recently graduated high school seniors from another state in the students' Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.

Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law. Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.

hometown. The bill requires the department to contract with a coordinating entity to facilitate the program. The program is contingent on the department receiving $45,000 of gifts, grants, or donations for the program by June 30, 2027.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add article 106.5 to title 22 as follows:

ARTICLE 106.5 Colorado Domestic Exchange Program 22-106.5-101. Short title.

THE SHORT TITLE OF THIS ARTICLE 106.5 IS THE "COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM ACT" OR "CODE ACT".

22-106.5-102. Legislative declaration.

(1) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT:

(a) MANY YOUNG PEOPLE GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL WITHOUT MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEERS FROM DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES;

(b) YOUNG PEOPLE WHO FEEL DISCONNECTED ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO POLARIZATION, MISINFORMATION, AND DISTRUST;

(c) STUDENTS WHO TRAVEL TO CULTURALLY, POLITICALLY, AND SOCIOECONOMICALLY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES OFTEN GAIN GREATER EMPATHY, UNDERSTANDING, AND APPRECIATION FOR DIVERSITY;

(d) STUDENTS WITH FEWER ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESOURCES ARE LESS LIKELY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THEIR HOME COMMUNITIES;

(e) HIGH SCHOOL DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAMS INCREASE EMPATHY, BELONGING, OPTIMISM, AND CIVIC CURIOSITY IN PARTICIPATING STUDENTS; AND

(f) INVITING STUDENTS FROM OTHER STATES TO COLORADO THROUGH A HIGH SCHOOL DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM MAY ATTRACT MORE STUDENTS TO PURSUE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION OR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN COLORADO.

22-106.5-103. Definitions.

AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE 106.5, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES:

"COORDINATING ENTITY" MEANS THE ENTITY UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO COORDINATE THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC EXCHANGE FOR STUDENTS, AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION

(2) "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

"FUND" MEANS THE COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM CASH FUND CREATED IN SECTION 22-106.5-106.

(4) "PROGRAM" MEANS THE COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION 22-106.5-104.

22-106.5-104. Colorado domestic exchange program - creation - coordinating entity - purpose.

(1) THE COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM IS CREATED IN THE DEPARTMENT. THE PROGRAM ENABLES GRADUATES OF A HIGH SCHOOL IN COLORADO, IN THE SUMMER FOLLOWING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, TO STAY IN ANOTHER STATE FOR A WEEK AND ASSIST IN HOSTING A GROUP OF STUDENTS FROM ANOTHER STATE IN THE GRADUATES' HOMETOWN FOR A WEEK. STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM DO NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MEALS, FLIGHTS, ACTIVITIES, LODGING, OR TRANSPORTATION. THE TWO-WEEK PROGRAM OFFERS EXPERIENCES THAT ALLOW STUDENTS TO EXPLORE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN THE POLITICAL, SOCIOECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL FEATURES OF THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND THE LOCATION OF THE EXCHANGE.

(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH, AND DISTRIBUTE MONEY FROM THE COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM CASH FUND CREATED IN SECTION 22-106.5-106 TO, A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ENTITY WITH EXPERIENCE OPERATING NATIONAL DOMESTIC YOUTH EXCHANGES TO COORDINATE THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC EXCHANGE FOR STUDENTS IN COLORADO.

22-106.5-105. Colorado domestic exchange program - state board of education - coordinating entity - duties - repeal. (1) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL PROVIDE OVERSIGHT OF THE PROGRAM AND SHALL:

(a) MONITOR THE USE OF THE MONEY DISTRIBUTED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO THE COORDINATING ENTITY PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-106.5-104 (2) TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE 106.5 AND APPLICABLE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS;

(b) RECEIVE AND REVIEW REPORTS SUBMITTED BY THE COORDINATING ENTITY AS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (3) OF THIS SECTION; AND (c) PROVIDE GUIDANCE OR RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COORDINATING ENTITY, AS APPROPRIATE, TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVE AND RESPONSIBLE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM.

(2) THE COORDINATING ENTITY SHALL:

(a) DESIGN, ADMINISTER, AND MANAGE PROGRAM OPERATIONS;

(b) RECRUIT, SELECT, AND SUPPORT STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING ENSURING THAT STUDENTS REPRESENT A DIVERSITY OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE;

(c) RECRUIT, SELECT, AND SUPPORT EDUCATORS OR OTHER PROGRAM STAFF WHO SERVE IN COORDINATION OR SUPPORT ROLES FOR PARTICIPATING STUDENTS;

(d) MANAGE AND DISTRIBUTE PROGRAM FUNDS, INCLUDING FUNDS USED FOR PARTICIPANT TRAVEL, MEALS, LODGING, ACTIVITIES, AND OTHER PROGRAMMATIC COSTS;

(e) ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO ENSURE PARTICIPANT SAFETY, PROGRAM QUALITY, AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF FUNDS; AND

(f) CARRY OUT ANY OTHER DUTIES NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE 106.5.

(3) BEGINNING IN THE FIRST JANUARY AFTER THIS SECTION BECOMES EFFECTIVE, AND IN JANUARY OF EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, THE COORDINATING ENTITY SHALL PREPARE AND SUBMIT TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO INCLUDE, AS PART OF ITS PRESENTATION DURING THE "SMART ACT" HEARING REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION CONCERNING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.

2-7-203, INFORMATION

(4) (a) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE COORDINATING ENTITY, SHALL START DISTRIBUTING MONEY BEGINNING JULY 1, 2027, TO FACILITATE STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM IN THE 2027-28 STATE FISCAL YEAR.

(b) THIS SUBSECTION (4) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2029.

22-106.5-106. Colorado domestic exchange program cash fund created - gifts, grants, and donations.

(1) THE DEPARTMENT MAY SEEK, ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 106.5. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL TRANSMIT ALL MONEY RECEIVED THROUGH GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS TO THE STATE TREASURER, WHO SHALL CREDIT THE MONEY TO THE COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM CASH FUND.

(2) THE COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM CASH FUND IS CREATED IN THE STATE TREASURY. THE FUND CONSISTS OF GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS CREDITED TO THE FUND PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION AND ANY OTHER MONEY THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY APPROPRIATE OR TRANSFER TO THE FUND.

(3) MONEY IN THE FUND IS CONTINUOUSLY APPROPRIATED TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 106.5.

(4) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE DEPARTMENT MAY SEEK, ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.

(5) IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 24-36-114 (1), THE STATE TREASURER SHALL CREDIT ALL INTEREST AND INCOME DERIVED FROM THE DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT OF MONEY IN THE FUND TO THE FUND.

(6) THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM IN ANY FISCAL YEAR UNLESS SUFFICIENT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF SUFFICIENT FUNDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, THE DEPARTMENT MAY IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM ONLY IF THE COORDINATING ENTITY DEMONSTRATES THAT ALL OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAMMATIC COSTS WILL BE COVERED THROUGH PRIVATE GIFTS, GRANTS, DONATIONS, OR SPONSORSHIP.

(7) (a) IF BY JUNE 30, 2027, THE MONEY IN THE FUND HAS NOT REACHED OR EXCEEDED FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS, THE STATE TREASURER SHALL RETURN FROM THE FUND TO THE COORDINATING ENTITY, THE GRANTOR, OR DONOR THE AMOUNT OF THE COORDINATING ENTITY'S, GRANTOR'S, OR DONOR'S GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS.

(b) IF ANY MONEY REMAINS IN THE FUND AFTER THE STATE TREASURER RETURNS MONEY TO DONORS OR GRANTORS PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (7), AS APPLICABLE, THE STATE TREASURER SHALL, PRIOR TO THE REPEAL OF THE FUND, TRANSFER ALL UNEXPENDED AND UNENCUMBERED MONEY IN THE FUND TO THE GENERAL FUND.

22-106.5-107. Effective dates - notice to revisor of statutes repeal of part.

(1) SECTIONS 22-106.5-104 AND 22-106.5-105 WILL TAKE EFFECT, AND SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION WILL BE REPEALED, IF THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 106.5. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL NOTIFY THE REVISOR OF STATUTES IN WRITING OF THE DATE WHEN THE CONDITION SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION HAS OCCURRED BY EMAILING THE NOTICE TO [email protected].

22-106.5-105 TAKE EFFECT, AND SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, UPON THE DATE IDENTIFIED IN THE NOTICE THAT THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 106.5 OR, IF THE NOTICE DOES NOT SPECIFY THAT DATE, UPON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE TO THE REVISOR OF STATUTES.

SECTIONS 22-106.5-104 AND

(2) (a) SECTIONS 22-106.5-101 TO 22-106.5-105 ARE REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027; EXCEPT THAT IF THE REVISOR OF STATUTES RECEIVES NOTICE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 2027, THEN SECTIONS 22-106.5-101 TO 22-106.5-105 ARE NOT REPEALED.

(b) THIS SECTION AND SECTION 22-106.5-107 ARE REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2028; EXCEPT THAT IF THE REVISOR OF STATUTES RECEIVES NOTICE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 2027, THEN THIS SECTION AND SECTION 22-106.5-106 ARE NOT REPEALED.

SECTION 2. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.