Colorado Bill Studies Sign Language Consumer Protection

Detected March 21st, 2026

Summary

Colorado HB26-1109 proposes a study to determine if additional consumer protections are needed for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind community regarding sign language interpretation services. The study will be conducted by a third-party researcher contracted by the Department of Human Services, with findings due by July 1, 2028.

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What changed

Colorado HB26-1109, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, mandates a study into the need for enhanced consumer protections for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind, specifically concerning the provision of sign language interpretation services within the state. The bill requires the executive director of the Department of Human Services, in conjunction with the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind, to contract with an external researcher. This contract must be in place by July 1, 2027, and the researcher is tasked with delivering a comprehensive report of their findings and conclusions by July 1, 2028.

This bill is currently under consideration and does not impose immediate compliance obligations. However, regulated entities that provide or utilize sign language interpretation services should be aware of this legislative initiative. The outcome of the study may lead to future regulatory changes or new consumer protection requirements. Compliance officers should monitor the progress of this bill and the subsequent study, particularly as the contract and reporting deadlines approach.

What to do next

Monitor legislative progress of HB26-1109
Track the contracting and reporting deadlines for the sign language interpreter study

Source document (simplified)

HB26-1109

Sign Language Consumer Protection Study

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Business & Economic Development Human Services |
Concerning the commission of a study to determine if additional consumer protections are needed for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind community with respect to sign language interpretation services provided in the state.

Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:

The bill requires the executive director of the department of human services (executive director), in collaboration with the division for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind (division), to enter into a contract with a third-party researcher to study whether additional consumer protections for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind community, with respect to using sign language interpreters, are needed in the state. The executive director and third-party researcher shall enter into the contract on or before July 1, 2027, and the third-party researcher shall report its findings and conclusions to the executive director and the division on or before July 1, 2028.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Prime Sponsors

Representative

Katie Stewart
Representative

Junie Joseph

Committees

House

Health & Human Services Finance Appropriations

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Status

Under Consideration

Introduced

Under Consideration

Upcoming Schedule

1 meeting

Tue

Mar 24

House General Orders - Second Reading of Bills

9:00 AM House Chamber

Related Documents & Information

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/03/2026 | Introduced | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/27/2026 | PA1 | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/12/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/16/2026 | SA1 | PDF |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer House Bill 26-1109 to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 9-2. | Vote summary |
Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer House Bill 26-1109 to the Committee on Appropriations. | The motion passed on a vote of 8-2. | Vote summary |
Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment C). | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer House Bill 26-1109, as amended, to the Committee on Finance. | The motion passed on a vote of 9-4. | Vote summary |
Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 02/24/2026 | L.001 | HOU Health & Human Services | Passed [*] | PDF |
* Amendments passed in committee are not incorporated into the measure unless adopted by the full House or Senate.

** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information.

| Date | Location | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/20/2026 | House | House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 03/02/2026 | House | House Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations |
| 02/24/2026 | House | House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Finance |
| 02/03/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services |
Prime Sponsor

Rep. J. Joseph | Rep. K. Stewart

Sponsor

(None) Co-Sponsor

(None)