Rep. Polly Lawrence

Under current law, a person must have performed at least 8,000 hours of practical work experience on fire suppression systems over the previous 5 years to register as a sprinkler fitter. This minimum experience requirement is nearly equivalent to the practical experience required to become licensed as a master plumber, which requires at least 8,500 hours of practical experience. The bill aligns the practical experience required to become registered as a sprinkler fitter with the practical experience required to become licensed as a journeyman plumber, which requires 6,800 hours of practical experience. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

The bill allows a professional nurse to delegate to another person, after appropriate training, the dispensing authority of an over-the-counter medication to a minor with the signed consent of the minor's parent or guardian. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Under the existing tuition assistance program for students enrolled in career and technical education certificate programs (certificate programs), students enrolled in certificate programs may qualify for tuition assistance if they meet the income eligibility requirements for the federal Pell grant program but the certificate program does not meet the Pell grant minimum credit hour requirements. Under the bill, the tuition assistance program is available to students who are enrolled in certificate programs that do not meet the minimum credit hour requirements for the federal Pell grant program and who meet an income eligibility standard set by the Colorado commission on higher education. The bill clarifies that tuition assistance means money a student may use to pay for tuition, fees, and course materials. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

The bill creates a technical demonstration forum consisting of eight members to study and document how advanced technologies can improve transportation access for people with disabilities. The forum consists of the following agency officers or their designees: The executive director of the department of labor and employment, who serves as chair of the forum; The executive director of the department of health care policy and financing, who serves as vice-chair of the forum; The director of the public utilities commission; The chief information officer of the office of information technology; The executive director of the department of human services; The director of the division of veterans affairs; The superintendent of the Colorado school for the deaf and the blind; and The executive director of the department of transportation. To demonstrate the transportation access needs of people with disabilities in both urban and rural areas of the state, the forum is directed to study the transportation access needs of people with disabilities in El Paso and Teller counties and explore technological and transportation business solutions that could increase transportation access for people with disabilities in those areas. The forum may recommend that the executive director of the department of labor and employment enter into a contract with a technology developer or transportation business to conduct one or more pilot projects in El Paso County, Teller County, or both counties to demonstrate the efficacy of a certain technology or transportation business product to improve transportation access for people with disabilities. On or before December 31, 2017, the forum is required to publish a report of its research and findings, including the results of any pilot projects and any legislative recommendations developed, and to furnish copies of the report to the governor, members of the general assembly's majority and minority leadership, and the members of the joint budget committee. The forum and its responsibilities are repealed, effective July 1, 2018. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

The bill allows a custodian to deny access to confidential personal information records and employee personal e-mail addresses. The provisions of the 'Colorado Open Records Act' that relate to civil or administrative investigations and trade secrets and other privileged and confidential information apply to the judicial branch. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)