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House OKs bill to codify Healthy Steps early-childhood program in state early childhood agency
Summary
The House passed Senate Bill 17 to codify an evidence-based pediatric program, Healthy Steps, aimed at integrating child-development and behavioral-health specialists into primary care for children ages 0–3.
The Colorado House on May 3 passed Senate Bill 17, a bill to codify Healthy Steps — an evidence‑based pediatric primary-care program for children ages 0–3 — into the state’s early childhood framework.
Sponsor Representative Joseph described Healthy Steps as a model that integrates child‑development and behavioral‑health specialists into clinical pediatric teams to help families identify developmental delays and connect to services. Representative Lukens asked whether pediatricians are currently precluded from hiring such specialists; Joseph said no and explained the bill’s purpose is to expand and standardize access so help "is available for those who need it most."
Ending
Supporters called the measure a commonsense step to make early-childhood developmental supports more available; the bill passed the House and advanced for final consideration.
