The bill prohibits a carrier or entity that offers a vision care plan from requiring an eye care provider with whom the carrier or entity contracts to: Provide services or materials to a covered person at a fee set by, or subject to the approval of, the carrier or entity unless certain conditions are met; Charge a covered person for noncovered services or noncovered materials in any amount less than the usual and customary amount that the eye care provider charges individuals who do not have coverage for such materials and services; or Participate, as a condition of participation in a vision plan, in any of the carrier's or entity's other vision plan networks. The bill prohibits a carrier or entity from changing the terms of a contract between the carrier or entity and an eye care provider without communication with the eye care provider. The bill requires the commissioner of insurance to institute a corrective action plan or use any of the commissioner's enforcement powers against a carrier or entity that is not in compliance with the above requirements. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Under current law, the department of education may issue a professional teacher license or professional special services license to a teacher or special services provider who holds a comparable license from another state and has 3 years of continuous teaching or special services experience. The bill changes the requirement from 3 years of continuous experience to 3 years of experience within the previous 7 years. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Under current law, in order to receive assistance under the aid to the needy disabled program, an applicant must be examined by a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, or registered nurse. The bill adds to the list of persons authorized to perform an examination a licensed psychologist, or any other licensed or certified health care personnel the department of human services deems appropriate. Any person who performs an examination is required to certify the diagnosis, prognosis, and other relevant medical or mental factors relating to the applicant's disability. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Joint Budget Committee. The general assembly recognizes that the actual funded pupil count and the actual at-risk pupil count for the 2017-18 school year are lower than anticipated when the appropriation amount was established during the 2017 legislative session. In addition, local property tax and specific ownership tax receipts are more than anticipated, increasing the local share of total program funding. The bill declares the general assembly's intent to maintain total program funding at the level of the original appropriation, resulting in a reduction in the budget stabilization factor. The bill adjusts the minimum amount of total program funding specified in statute to reflect this intent. The bill decreases the state share of total program funding by the amount of the increased local property tax revenues, putting $84,034,372 back into the state education fund and $12,866,074 back into the state public school fund, for a total of $96,900,466. The bill makes technical amendments to the hold harmless full-day kindergarten funding and ASCENT program funding to reflect the total program funding amounts included in the bill. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) Read More
Current law requires each license plate to be at the approximate center of a motor vehicle and at least 12 inches from the ground. The bill repeals this requirement for the front license plate and replaces it with a requirement that the front license plate be mounted horizontally on the front in the location designated by the manufacturer. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill increases the penalty level for an assault on a peace officer by one class and requires the court to sentence the defendant to incarceration for at least the maximum sentence and up to 2.5 times the maximum sentence. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
Under current law, higher education fee-for-service contracts include performance funding based in part on the number of degrees or certificates awarded by each institution. The bill sets the minimum amount of performance funding received for each certificate awarded at 50% of the amount for each bachelor's degree awarded. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
The bill directs the department of health care policy and financing (department) to prepare and submit a waiver to the federal government requesting authority to implement certain self-sufficiency provisions as part of the Colorado medical assistance program (medicaid). The bill: Requires able-bodied adults as a condition of eligibility for medicaid to become employed, actively seek employment, attend job or vocational training, or volunteer at a nonprofit organization; except that this requirement does not apply to certain persons specified in the bill; Requires able-bodied adults to verify income monthly for determination of eligibility; Authorizes the department to prohibit enrollment in medicaid if a person fails to report a change in family income or makes a false statement regarding compliance with the work requirement; Establishes a lifetime limit on medicaid benefits of 5 years, and includes persons excepted from the limit; and Authorizes the department to impose copayments to deter the use of emergency departments and ambulance services for nonemergency services and nonemergency transportation. The bill requires the department to report to the general assembly regarding the preparation, submission, approval, implementation, and outcome of the self-sufficiency waiver provisions. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
Not more than 30 days after receiving at least $750,000 in gifts, grants, and donations for the purpose of creating and administering a statewide electronic system (system) that allows medical professionals and individuals to upload and access advance directives, the department of public health and environment shall create such a system. 'Advance directive' means: A declaration as to medical treatment; A medical durable power of attorney; A directive relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation; A medical orders for scope of treatment form; A designated beneficiary agreement; or Any legal form of these types that has been properly executed in another state in accordance with the laws of that state. The department shall contract with one or more health information organization networks for the administration and maintenance of the system during the next year. On or before November 1, 2018, the department shall promulgate rules to administer the system. The system is repealed, effective September 1, 2028. Prior to such repeal, the department of regulatory agencies shall perform a sunset review of the system. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) Read More
Statutory Revision Committee. Current law allows an employee in the state personnel system his or her moving and relocation expenses if an appointing authority requires the employee to change his or her place of residence due to a change in job duties. The bill specifies that moving expenses, including the reasonable expenses of moving household goods and personal effects and the reasonable costs of traveling to a new residence, are reimbursable in accordance with rules promulgated by the state controller and in compliance with the regulations of the federal internal revenue service. The bill also specifies that relocation expenses that are provided in the form of a per diem allowance for a certain number of days are reimbursable in accordance with rules promulgated by the state controller and in compliance with the regulations of the federal internal revenue service. In addition, the bill removes administrative details and requires the state controller to promulgate rules for the administration of moving and relocation deductions and reimbursements in compliance with the regulations of the federal internal revenue service. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Supplemental appropriations are made to the department of corrections. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill clarifies that a local government does not violate state rules if it imposes the following requirements on a driver of an off-highway vehicle: Require seat belts if the vehicle is designed to use them; Require the use of a child restraint system if the vehicle was designed for it; Require the use of eye protection for all occupants; Require the use of a helmet for occupants under the age of 18; or Limit the number of occupants to the number that the off-highway vehicle was designed by the manufacturer to hold or to 2 for all-terrain vehicles. This applies when a person is driving an off-highway vehicle only on a road that has been opened to off-highway vehicle use by the local government or when crossing streets, railroad tracks, bridges, or culverts. A local government may require a driver's license or liability insurance when crossing streets, railroad tracks, bridges, or culverts. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
