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HB26-1264 • 2026

Safety Program for Students & Others at Public School

The bill requires public schools to provide information to staff, students, and parents or guardians about the safe2tell program. School districts and charter schools are required to create written po

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Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Rep. R. English
Last action
2026-02-19
Official status
Introduced In House - Assigned to Education
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on penalties for non-compliance or funding requirements.

Safety Program for Students & Others at Public School

This bill requires public schools to inform staff, students, and parents about the safe2tell program and mandates school districts and charter schools to create written policies on safety reports and student safety.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires public schools to provide information about the safe2tell program to staff, students, and their families.
  • Schools must have written policies for handling safety reports and conducting threat assessments.
  • The Department of Public Safety will create model messages about safe firearm storage, preventing youth access to firearms, cybersecurity, and online safety. These messages must be distributed annually to families.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Public school staff
  • Students attending public schools
  • Parents or guardians of students

Terms To Know

safe2tell program
A reporting system where people can anonymously report safety concerns, threats, bullying, weapons, and other risky behaviors.
threat assessment
An evaluation process conducted by trained teams to identify and respond to potential risks of harm to students or others.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how schools should fund the implementation of these requirements.
  • It is unclear if there are penalties for non-compliance with the new policies.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-19 House

    Introduced In House - Assigned to Education

Official Summary Text

The bill requires public schools to provide information to staff, students, and parents or guardians about the safe2tell program. School districts and charter schools are required to create written policy regarding safety reports and other policies related to student safety.
The department of public safety is required to create a model message relating to the safe storage of firearms, preventing youth access to firearms, cybersecurity, and online safety. A school district shall annually distribute the model message to families.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED

LLS NO. 26-0704.01 Owen Hatch x2698 HOUSE BILL 26-1264
House Committees Senate Committees
Education
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING INITIATIVES PROMOTING SAFER SCHOOLS. 101
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 public schools to provide information to staff,
students, and parents or guardians about the safe2tell program. School
districts and charter schools are required to create written policy
regarding safety reports and other policies related to student safety.
The department of public safety is required to create a model
message relating to the safe storage of firearms, preventing youth access
to firearms, cybersecurity, and online safety. A school district shall
annually distribute the model message to families.
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
English,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
(None),
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.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Short title. The short title of this act is the "Student2
Safety and Mental Wellness in Schools Act".3
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-1-151 as4
follows:5
22-1-151. School safety planning and reporting - definitions.6
(1) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE7
REQUIRES:8
(a) "BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REFERRAL" MEANS A FORMAL PROCESS9
BY WHICH A STAFF MEMBER OR SCHOOL -BASED TEAM CONNECTS A10
STUDENT TO APPROPRIATE MENTAL HEALTH OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH11
SERVICES, INCLUDING COUNSELING, CRISIS INTERVENTION, SUBSTANCE USE12
SUPPORT, OR COMMUNITY -BASED CARE , WHEN CONCERNS ARISE13
REGARDING THE STUDENT'S EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, SAFETY, OR ABILITY14
TO FUNCTION SUCCESSFULLY IN A SCHOOL SETTING.15
(b) "CHARTER SCHOOL" MEANS A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED16
BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT PURSUANT TO PART 1 OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF THIS17
TITLE 22 AND A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE CHARTER18
SCHOOL INSTITUTE PURSUANT TO PART 5 OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF THIS TITLE19
22.20
(c) "EVIDENCE-INFORMED PROCESS" MEANS A PROCESS GUIDED BY21
RESEARCH-SUPPORTED PRACTICES , PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS , AND22
STATEWIDE GUIDANCE, INCLUDING SAFE2TELL PROTOCOLS.23
(d) "PUBLIC SCHOOL" MEANS A SCHOOL OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR24
A CHARTER SCHOOL.25
(e) "SAFE2TELL REPORT" MEANS A REPORT MADE THROUGH THE26
HB26-1264-2-
SAFE2TELL PROGRAM CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-31-6061
REGARDING CONCERNS RELATED TO STUDENT SAFETY , THREATS ,2
SELF-HARM, BULLYING, WEAPONS, OR OTHER BEHAVIOR THAT MAY POSE3
A RISK TO INDIVIDUALS OR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES.4
(f) "SUPPORT AND RE-ENTRY PLAN" MEANS AN INDIVIDUALIZED,5
TRAUMA-INFORMED PLAN DEVELOPED BY A SCHOOL -BASED OR6
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM IN COLLABORATION WITH THE STUDENT AND,7
WHEN APPROPRIATE , THE STUDENT 'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN THAT8
IDENTIFIES SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS , ACCOMMODATIONS , BEHAVIORAL9
HEALTH SUPPORTS , AND FOLLOW -UP ACTIONS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS10
SAFETY CONCERNS , PROMOTE MENTAL WELLNESS , AND SUPPORT THE11
STUDENT'S ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SUCCESS.12
(g) "T HREAT ASSESSMENT " MEANS A STRUCTURED ,13
EVIDENCE-INFORMED PROCESS CONDUCTED BY A TRAINED SCHOOL-BASED14
OR MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM TO IDENTIFY, EVALUATE, AND RESPOND TO15
BEHAVIORS OR COMMUNICATIONS THAT MAY INDICATE A RISK OF HARM TO16
THE STUDENT OR OTHERS , WITH THE PRIMARY GOAL OF EARLY17
INTERVENTION, CONNECTION TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORTS , AND18
PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE RATHER THAN DISCIPLINARY PUNISHMENT.19
(2) (a) A PUBLIC SCHOOL SHALL ANNUALLY PROVIDE STUDENTS,20
PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, AND STAFF WITH INFORMATION ON ANONYMOUS21
REPORTING THROUGH THE SAFE2TELL PROGRAM CREATED PURSUANT TO22
SECTION 24-31-606, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON HOW TO SUBMIT23
SAFE2TELL REPORTS AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A SAFE2TELL REPORT IS24
MADE.25
(b) A PUBLIC SCHOOL MAY COMPLY WITH THIS SUBSECTION (2)26
THROUGH A SCHOOL 'S OR SCHOOL DISTRICT 'S EXISTING HANDBOOK ,27
HB26-1264-3-
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION , STAFF ONBOARDING , OR AFFILIATED1
WEBSITE.2
(3) (a) E ACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOL SHALL3
ADOPT OR UPDATE A WRITTEN POLICY DESCRIBING PROCEDURES FOR:4
(I) RECEIVING AND TRIAGING SAFETY REPORTS;5
(II) C ONDUCTING A THREAT ASSESSMENT USING AN6
EVIDENCE-INFORMED PROCESS;7
(III) REFERRING STUDENTS TO A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REFERRAL8
OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORTS WHEN APPROPRIATE;9
(IV) COORDINATING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN REQUIRED BY10
LAW; AND11
(V) D EVELOPING A SUPPORT AND RE -ENTRY PLAN WHEN A12
STUDENT RETURNS FOLLOWING A SAFETY-RELATED INCIDENT.13
(b) A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOL MAY SATISFY THIS14
SUBSECTION (3) BY ADOPTING MODEL POLICIES OR GUIDANCE ISSUED BY15
THE SCHOOL SAFETY RESOURCE CENTER CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION16
24-33.5-1803 OR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.17
(4) (a) A SCHOOL DISTRICT 'S OR CHARTER SCHOOL 'S SCHOOL18
SAFETY PLAN MUST INCLUDE A STUDENT WELLNESS RESPONSE PATHWAY19
IDENTIFYING:20
(I) BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REFERRAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE WITHIN21
EXISTING SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY RESOURCES;22
(II) C RISIS RESPONSE SERVICES AND FAMILY NOTIFICATION23
PRACTICES CONSISTENT WITH STATE AND FEDERAL PRIVACY LAWS; AND24
(III) R E-ENTRY AND STABILIZATION SUPPORT FOR IMPACTED25
STUDENTS AND STAFF FOLLOWING A TRAUMATIC EVENT.26
(b) THIS SUBSECTION (4) DOES NOT REQUIRE THE HIRING OF NEW27
HB26-1264-4-
PERSONNEL OR THE CREATION OF NEW PROGRAMS.1
(5) THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, IN COORDINATION WITH2
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE SC HOOL SAFETY RESOURCE3
CENTER, SHALL:4
(a) MAKE A MODEL MESSAGE REGARDING:5
(I) SAFE FIREARM STORAGE;6
(II) YOUTH ACCESS TO FIREARMS PREVENTION;7
(III) CYBERSECURITY; AND8
(IV) ONLINE SAFETY, INCLUDING AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE AND9
HOW TO SEEK HELP REGARDING:10
(A) ONLINE HARASSMENT;11
(B) CYBERBULLYING; AND12
(C) DIGITAL THREATS; AND13
(b) MAKE THE MODEL MESSAGE AVAILABLE AT NO COST TO ALL14
PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN15
THE STATE.16
(6) (a) N O LATER THAN JULY 1, 2026, AND BY JULY 1 OF EACH17
YEAR THEREAFTER, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOL SHALL18
CERTIFY COMPLIANCE WITH SUBSECTIONS (3) AND (4) OF THIS SECTION IN19
A FORMAT NOT TO EXCEED ONE PAGE OF TEXT . A PUBLIC SCHOOL SHALL20
CERTIFY COMPLIANCE WITH SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION IN A FORMAT21
NOT TO EXCEED ONE PAGE OF TEXT.22
(b) A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A CHARTER SCHOOL MAY PUBLICLY23
POST CERTIFICATION ON THE DISTRICT'S OR CHARTER SCHOOL'S WEBSITE24
OR SUBMIT CERTIFICATION THROUGH AN EXISTING STATE REPORTING25
MECHANISM. A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A CHARTER SCHOOL IS NOT26
REQUIRED TO INCUR NEW EXPENSES TO IMPLEMENT THE SAFETY PLAN OR27
HB26-1264-5-
STUDENT WELLNESS RESPONSE PATHWAY.1
(7) (a) (I) A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A CHARTER SCHOOL SHALL2
IMPLEMENT SUBSECTIONS (3), (4), AND (6) OF THIS SECTION USING3
EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER AVAILABLE RESOURCES.4
(II) T HIS SECTION DOES NOT REQUIRE A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR5
CHARTER SCHOOL TO INCUR ANY NEW EXPENDITURES.6
(b) A PUBLIC SCHOOL SHALL IMPLEMENT SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS7
SECTION USING EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER AVAILABLE8
RESOURCES.9
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-33.5-123 as10
follows:11
24-33.5-123. Safe firearm storage and youth access prevention12
- messaging.13
(1) THE DEPARTMENT, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT14
OF EDUCATION AND THE SCHOOL SAFETY RESOURCE CENTER , SHALL ,15
PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-1-151 (5), CREATE A MODEL MESSAGE16
REGARDING SAFE FIREARM STORAGE AND YOUTH ACCESS PREVENTION AND17
MAKE THE MODEL MESSAGE AVAILABLE TO ALL PUBLIC , PRIVATE, AND18
ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS AT NO COST.19
(2) IN DEVELOPING AND DISTRIBUTING THE MODEL MESSAGE AND20
RELATED GUIDANCE , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL INCORPORATE21
TRAUMA-INFORMED AND PREVENTION -FOCUSED PRACTICES THAT22
PROMOTE STUDENT WELL -BEING, EARLY INTERVENTION , AND SAFE23
REPORTING.24
SECTION 4. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,25
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate26
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for27
HB26-1264-6-
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state1
institutions.2
HB26-1264-7-