HB26-1109 • 2026

Sign Language Consumer Protection Study

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

Budget

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Rep. J. Joseph, Rep. K. Stewart, Sen. J. Danielson, Rep. A. Boesenecker, Rep. K. Brown, Rep. C. Clifford, Rep. M. Duran, Rep. M. Froelich, Rep. E. Hamrick, Rep. M. Lindsay, Rep. B. Marshall, Rep. K. Nguyen, Rep. M. Rutinel, Rep. E. Sirota, Rep. R. Stewart, Rep. B. Titone, Rep. Y. Zokaie
Last action: 2026-03-27
Official status: Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material did not provide detailed information about the exact nature and extent of interviews or specific data collection methods beyond those mentioned in the bill text.

Sign Language Consumer Protection Study

This bill requires a study to determine if additional consumer protections are needed for people who use sign language interpreters in Colorado.

What This Bill Does

Requires the executive director of human services and the division for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind to contract with a third-party researcher to conduct a study on whether more consumer protections are needed for sign language interpreter users.
The study must include interviews with sign language interpreters, members of the deaf community who have used sign language interpreters, and language service companies.
The researcher must collect data on how unregulated practices might harm public health or safety.
A final report will be submitted to the executive director and division by July 1, 2028.

Who It Names or Affects

People who use sign language interpreters in Colorado
Sign language interpreters working in Colorado

Terms To Know

Consumer protections: Rules or laws that protect people when they buy goods or services.
Third-party researcher: An independent person or company hired to do the study.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what actions will be taken based on the findings of the study.
It is unclear how much funding will be provided for this research.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

L.001

HOU Health & Human Services

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment changes the bill to require interviews with sign language interpreters, members of the deaf community, and language service companies, ensuring full accessibility and representation.

Adds requirements for interviews with sign language interpreters and members of the deaf community.
Includes interviews with language service companies and ensures these are fully accessible.
Specifies that interviewers must have knowledge of Deaf culture and effective communication skills.
Ensures a diverse range of interviewees representing various backgrounds and experiences.

The amendment text does not provide full details on how the interviews will be conducted or what specific information is sought from them.

L.005

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: The amendment adds the word 'QUANTITATIVE' to require both qualitative and quantitative data in a study about sign language consumer protection.

Adds the requirement for quantitative analysis alongside existing qualitative analysis.

The exact nature of the original requirements (only qualitative or both) is not provided, making it hard to explain the full extent of the change without context.

L.006

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: The amendment adds a new clause to the bill that prevents any part of it from being used as a reason to create occupational licensing or regulation, unless there is strong evidence showing unregulated practices are dangerous.

Adds a new section (c) after line 15 on page 4 of the printed bill.
This new section states that nothing in subsection (10) should be seen as favoring occupational licensing or regulation.

The amendment text does not specify what subsection (10) is, so it's unclear exactly which part of the bill this applies to.
It's not clear how this new clause will affect the overall goals and requirements set out in HB26-1109.

L.007

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: The amendment changes the bill to require that the study on sign language consumer protection can only be done if there is money available and cannot cost more than $250,000.

Adds a requirement for the study to proceed 'subject to available appropriations,' meaning it depends on having enough budget funds.

The amendment text does not specify what happens if there are no available appropriations or how the division will manage the budget constraint.
It is unclear from the provided information whether this change affects other parts of the bill beyond just this specific requirement.

L.008

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: The amendment adds a requirement that any recommendations for new regulations resulting from the study must get separate approval from the legislature before they can be put into effect.

Adds a new section (c) to the bill, stating that any regulatory recommendations coming out of the study need legislative authorization before being implemented.

The amendment text does not specify what happens if the legislature does not give approval for these regulations.
It is unclear how this change will affect the timeline and process of implementing new regulations based on the study's findings.

Bill History

2026-03-27 Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services
2026-03-24 House
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
2026-03-23 House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
2026-03-23 House
House Committee of the Whole Amendment - Change from Lost to Passed
2026-03-20 House
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
2026-03-02 House
House Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations
2026-02-24 House
House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Finance
2026-02-03 House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services

Official Summary Text

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 the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 26-0417.02 Jennifer Berman x3286 HOUSE BILL 26-1109
House Committees Senate Committees
Health & Human Services
Finance
Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE COMMISSION OF A STUDY TO DETERMINE IF101
ADDITIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTIONS ARE NEEDED FOR THE102
DEAF, HARD OF HEARING , AND DEAFBLIND COMMUNITY WITH103
RESPECT TO SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION SERVICES104
PROVIDED IN THE STATE.105
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 requires the executive director of the department of human
services (executive director), in collaboration with the division for the
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 24, 2026
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 23, 2026
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Stewart K. and Joseph, Boesenecker, Brown, Clifford, Duran, Froelich, Hamrick,
Lindsay, Marshall, Nguyen, Rutinel, Sirota, Stewart R., Titone, Zokaie
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Danielson,
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.
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.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26-21-106, amend2
(1)(f) and (1)(g); and add (1)(h) and (10) as follows:3
26-21-106. Division for the deaf, hard of hearing, and4
deafblind - creation - powers, functions, and duties - programs -5
report - rules - definitions - repeal.6
(1) The division for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind is7
created in the communication services for people with disabilities8
enterprise. The powers, functions, and duties of the division include:9
(f) Approving a sign language interpreter's certifications as valid10
and reliable in accordance with section 6-1-707 (1)(e)(I)(B); and11
(g) Coordinating the provision of a telecommunications relay12
service program for individuals in the state who are deaf, hard of hearing,13
or deafblind or speech-disabled. In doing so, this service shall:14
(I) Conform with section 401 of the federal "Americans with15
Disabilities Act of 1990", 47 U.S.C. sec. 225, including the provision for16
state application to the federal communications commission for17
certification; AND18
(II) Meet or exceed all operational, technical, and functional19
minimum standards in federal communications commission regulations20
governing telecommunication relay services under 47 CFR 64 subpart F21
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and 47 CFR 9 subpart E; AND1
(h) C OORDINATING WITH THE THIRD -PARTY RESEARCHER2
CONTRACTED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION3
(10) OF THIS SECTION TO STUDY WHETHER ADDITIONAL CONSUMER4
PROTECTIONS FOR THE DEAF , HARD OF HEARING , AND DEAFBLIND5
COMMUNITY WITH RESPECT TO USING SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER6
SERVICES ARE NEEDED IN THE STATE.7
(10) (a) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,8
IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DIVISION , SHALL ENTER INTO A CONTRACT9
WITH A THIRD -PARTY RESEARCHER TO CONDUCT A STUDY REGARDING10
CONSUMER PROTECTIONS FOR THE DEAF , HARD OF HEARING , AND11
DEAFBLIND COMMUNITY WITH RESPECT TO USING SIGN LANGUAGE12
INTERPRETERS IN THE STATE . THE THIRD -PARTY RESEARCHER SHALL13
COORDINATE WITH THE DIVISION REGARDING THE REQUIRED PARAMETERS14
OF THE STUDY, WHICH REQUIRED PARAMETERS MUST INCLUDE:15
(I) INTERVIEWS:16
(A) WITH SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS IN THE STATE;17
(B) W ITH MEMBERS OF THE DEAF , HARD OF HEARING, AND18
DEAFBLIND COMMUNITY WHO HAVE WORKED WITH SIGN LANGUAGE19
INTERPRETERS REGARDING THEIR EXPERIENCE AS CONSUMERS OF SIGN20
LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION;21
(C) WITH LANGUAGE SERVICE COMPANIES;22
(D) THAT ARE MADE FULLY ACCESSIBLE TO THE INTERVIEWEES,23
INCLUDING ACCESS TO CERTIFIED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE24
INTERPRETERS. INTERVIEWERS SHALL HAVE PROFICIENT KNOWLEDGE OF25
DEAF CULTURE AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH MEMBERS OF THE26
DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, AND DEAFBLIND COMMUNITY.27
1109-3-
(E) T O THE EXTENT POSSIBLE , WITH INTERVIEWEES WHO ARE1
REPRESENTATIVE OF A RANGE OF AGES , RACIAL AND ETHNIC2
BACKGROUNDS, SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS, RURAL AND URBAN3
AREAS, CULTURALLY DEAF AND LATE-DEAFENED INDIVIDUALS, AND4
CONSUMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE RECEIVING BOTH CERTIFIED AND5
UNCERTIFIED IN -PERSON AND REMOTE VIDEO SIGN L ANGUAGE6
INTERPRETATION SERVICES;7
(II) COLLECTION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DATA:8
(A) A BOUT WHETHER THE UNREGULATED PRACTICE OF SIGN9
LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION CLEARLY HARMS OR ENDANGERS THE10
HEALTH, SAFETY , OR WELFARE OF THE PUBLIC , AS CONSIDERED BY THE11
DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY AGENCIES WHEN ENGAGING IN ITS SUNRISE12
REVIEW PROCESS PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-34-104.1 (4); AND13
(B) T HAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO OTHER FACTORS THAT THE14
DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY AGENCIES CONSIDERS PURSUANT TO15
SECTION 24-34-104.1 (4) WHEN ENGAGING IN ITS SUNRISE REVIEW16
PROCESS;17
(III) I NFORMATION ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF THE18
PROFESSION, INCLUDING ANY CHANGES IN THE PROFESSION OVER THE LAST19
DECADE; AND20
(IV) C OMPARATIVE RESEARCH REGARDING OTHER STATES '21
REGULATION OF THE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION PROFESSION ,22
INCLUDING A REVIEW OF REGULATION BY AT LEAST ONE STATE WITH:23
(A) LONG-STANDING REGULATION OF THE PROFESSION;24
(B) RECENTLY ENACTED REGULATION OF THE PROFESSION; AND25
(C) RECENTLY MODIFIED REGULATION OF THE PROFESSION.26
(b) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2028, THE THIRD-PARTY RESEARCHER27
1109-4-
CONDUCTING THE STUDY SHALL PREPARE A FINAL REPORT OF THEIR1
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS , INCLUDING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS2
REGARDING REGULATION OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS, AND SUBMIT3
THE REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE DIVISION.4
(c) THIS SUBSECTION (10) AND SUBSECTION (1)(h) OF THIS SECTION5
ARE REPEALED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2029.6
SECTION 2. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act7
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the8
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August9
12, 2026, if adj ournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a10
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the11
state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act12
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect13
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in14
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the15
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.16
1109-5-