The act implements some of the recommendations of the department of regulatory agencies' (department) sunset review and report regarding the office of consumer counsel (office) and the utility consumers' board (board) by:Continuing the office and the board for 7 years, to 2028; Changing the name of the office to the office of the utility consumer advocate and the name of the head of the office from the consumer counsel to the director; Changing the board from a type 1 transfer to a type 2 transfer; and Repealing requirements that the board annually review the office's performance and confer with the executive director of the department regarding hiring and performance evaluation matters. The act also:Authorizes the director to consider statutory decarbonization goals, just transition, and environmental justice when determining whether it is in the public interest to appear in a proceeding before the public utilities commission (commission); Removes the cap on the number of employees that the director may employ; Authorizes the office to intervene in matters before the commission that relate to the provision or quality of telecommunications service; Prohibits the office from recommending that the commission take action that would interfere with collective bargaining regarding a regulated industry's employee wages, health insurance, or retirement benefits; Authorizes the director to inspect records and documents of a public utility and conduct depositions under oath of an officer, agent, or employee of a public utility; Requires the director or the director's designee to provide policy analysis to the executive director of the department regarding legislative matters pending before the general assembly that directly relate to the office's mission; Authorizes the office to make presentations and provide other forms of education to the general assembly about certain public utility matters; and Requires the department to include in its annual "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act" presentation to the general assembly information regarding the office's work, including a summary of the matters in which the office intervened in the preceding year.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
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The act expands certain preventive health-care services to include counseling, prevention, and screening for a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The act adds contraception as a mandatory health benefit.Current law requires a health-care provider or facility to perform a diagnostic exam for an STI and subsequently treat the STI at the request of a minor patient. The act allows a health-care provider to administer, dispense, or prescribe preventive measures or medications where applicable. The consent of a parent is not a prerequisite for a minor to receive preventive care, but a health-care provider shall counsel the minor on the importance of bringing the minor's parent or legal guardian into the minor's confidence regarding the services.Current law requires the executive director of the department of health care policy and financing to authorize reimbursement for medical or diagnostic services provided by a certified family planning clinic. The act removes the requirement that services be provided by a certified family planning clinic and authorizes reimbursement for family planning services and family-planning-related services provided by any licensed health-care provider.The act appropriates $90,547 to the department of health care policy and financing and $13,353 and provides 0.2 FTE to the department of regulatory agencies for use by the division of insurance to implement the act.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The act prohibits an insurer from:Unfairly discriminating based on an individual's race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, or gender expression in any insurance practice; or Pursuant to rules adopted by the commissioner of insurance (commissioner), using any external consumer data and information source, algorithm, or predictive model (external data source) with regard to any insurance practice that unfairly discriminates against an individual based on an individual's race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, or gender expression. After a stakeholder process, the commissioner shall adopt rules for specific types of insurance, by insurance practice, which rules establish means by which an insurer may demonstrate that it has tested whether its use of an external data source unfairly discriminates based on an individual's race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, or gender expression. Any such rules shall not become effective until January 1, 2023, at the earliest, for any type of insurance. The rules must require each insurer to:Provide information to the commissioner concerning the external data sources used by the insurer in the development and implementation of algorithms and predictive models for a particular type of insurance and insurance practice; Provide an explanation of the manner in which the insurer uses external data sources for the particular type of insurance and insurance practice; Establish and maintain a risk management framework that is reasonably designed to determine, to the extent practicable, whether the insurer's use of external data sources unfairly discriminates against individuals based on their race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, or gender expression; Provide an assessment of the results of the risk management framework and actions taken to minimize the risk of unfair discrimination, including ongoing monitoring; and Provide an attestation by the insurer's chief risk officer that the insurer has implemented the risk management framework appropriately on a continuous basis. The rules adopted by the commissioner must include provisions establishing:A reasonable period of time for insurers to remedy any unfairly discriminatory impact in an external data source; and The ability of insurers to use external data sources that have been previously assessed by the division of insurance (division) and found not to be unfairly discriminatory. Documents, materials, and other information in the possession or control of the division that are obtained by, created by, or disclosed to the commissioner or any other person pursuant to the new requirements are recognized as proprietary and containing trade secrets. The commissioner may use the documents, materials, or other information in furtherance of any regulatory or legal action and make the data publicly available in an aggregated or de-identified format.The commissioner may examine and investigate an insurer's use of an external data source in any insurance practice.In the department of regulatory agencies' annual "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act" report to the legislative committees of reference, the division shall include:Information concerning any rules adopted pertaining to this act; Information concerning any changes in insurance rates that have resulted from the prohibitions described in the act; and A summary of the stakeholder process, including a description of data sources insurers may use to comply with this act. The requirements described in the act do not apply to:Title insurance; Bonds executed by qualified surety companies; or Insurers of exempt commercial policyholders.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The act continues the necessary document program (program) indefinitely. Beginning January 1, 2032, and each 5 years thereafter, the department of public health and environment shall report to the general assembly the total number of necessary documents acquired on an annual basis and any significant technological changes or other developments that affect the need for, or operation of, the program.The act appropriates $250,000 to the department of public health and environment for use by the office of health equity to implement the act.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The act creates the front range passenger rail district (district) for the purpose of planning, designing, developing, financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining an interconnected passenger rail system (system) along the front range. The district is specifically required to work collaboratively with the regional transportation district (RTD) to ensure interconnectivity with any passenger rail system operated by or for the RTD and with Amtrak on interconnectivity with Amtrak's Southwest Chief, California Zephyr, and Winter Park Express trains, including but not limited to rerouting of the Amtrak Southwest Chief passenger train. The district must also coordinate with the department of transportation (CDOT) to ensure that any system is well-integrated into the state's multimodal transportation system and does not impair the efficiency or safety of or otherwise adversely affect existing transportation infrastructure or operations. If deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the district and by the board of directors of RTD, the district may share with RTD capital costs associated with shared use of rail line infrastructure in the northwest rail line corridor for passenger train service.The area that comprises the district extends from Wyoming to New Mexico and includes:The entirety of the city and county of Broomfield and the city and county of Denver; All areas within Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, El Paso, Huerfano, Jefferson, Larimer, Las Animas, Pueblo, and Weld counties that are located within the territory of a metropolitan planning organization (MPO); All areas within Huerfano, Las Animas, and Pueblo counties that are not located within the territory of a MPO and are located within a county precinct that is located wholly or partly within 5 miles of the public right-of-way of interstate highway 25; and All areas within Larimer and Weld counties that are not located within the territory of a MPO and are located within a county precinct that is north of the city of Fort Collins and is located wholly or partly within 5 miles of the public right-of-way of interstate highway 25. The district is governed by a board of directors composed of:10 appointees of transportation planning organizations that have jurisdiction within the territory of the district as follows: 4 appointees appointed by each metropolitan planning organization (MPO) that represents more than 1,500,000 residents in the district; except that any city and county or municipality that has 55% or more of the MPO's territory shall appoint one of the 4 directors that would otherwise be appointed by the MPO; 2 appointees from each metropolitan planning organization (MPO) that represents more than 500,000 but fewer than 1,000,000 residents in the district; except that any city and county or municipality that has 55% or more of the MPO's territory shall appoint one of the 2 directors that would otherwise be appointed by the MPO; One appointee appointed by the Pueblo area council of governments; and One appointee appointed by the south central council of governments. 6 appointees appointed by the governor subject to confirmation by the senate who must collectively have professional experience or expertise in specified areas; One appointee appointed by the executive director of CDOT; One nonvoting representative of RTD; One nonvoting representative appointed by the I-70 mountain corridor coalition, or any successor entity to the coalition; and If the respective governors and chief executive officers choose to make appointments, nonvoting representatives of the BNSF Railway, the Union Pacific Railroad, Amtrak, and communities in Wyoming and New Mexico. In addition to the professional experience or expertise requirements, at least one of the directors appointed by the governor must be a resident of a county, city and county, or municipality through which light or commuter rail was planned as part of RTD's voter-approved Fastracks program. Each director appointed by a transportation planning organization must be or have been a member of the board of directors of the appointing authority and must represent or have represented a member jurisdiction of the appointing authority that is wholly or partly included within the district. The board must be fully appointed by April 1, 2022, with an earlier appointment deadline for some appointees. The board must convene for its initial meeting not later than May 15, 2022. The existing southwest chief and front range passenger rail commission is terminated, effective July 1, 2022, and any remaining commission funds are transferred to the district no later than July 1, 2022.The district is authorized to exercise the powers necessary to plan, design, develop, finance, construct, operate, and maintain the system including but not limited to:The power, subject to the approval of the voters of the district and other specified limitations, to levy a sales and use tax, to exercise specified taxing authority common to special districts within the district, and to issue bonds. Before submitting a ballot question to establish any district tax, the district must publish a proposed services development plan, an operating plan, and a detailed financing plan, certify that it has made every reasonable effort to secure federal funding for the system, and approve the submission of the question by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all voting directors of the board. The power, subject to the approval of the owners of property within a 2-mile radius of any existing or proposed passenger rail station, to create a station area improvement district with the authority to levy additional sales and use tax, special assessments on real property, or both, to cover the costs of construction, operation, and maintenance of the station; The power to enter into public-private partnerships; and The power to employ its own personnel or contract with public or private entities, or both, for the operation and maintenance of the system. The district must publish and present a comprehensive annual report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation and each transportation planning organization that appoints directors to the district board. If the district levies a tax, the state auditor must conduct a biennial district-funded audit of the district.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The act makes general fund transfers of $8,000,000 to the just transition cash fund (fund) and $7,000,000 to a newly created coal transition worker assistance program account (account) in the fund. The just transition office (office) is required to expend at least 70% of the money transferred to the fund by the close of state fiscal year (FY) 2021-22 and any remaining money in state FY 2022-23 to implement the final just transition plan for Colorado and to provide supplemental funding for existing state programs that the office identifies as the most effective vehicles for targeted investment in coal transition communities. In expending the money, the office is required to develop specific criteria for prioritizing the expenditures, emphasize investment in tier one transition communities, as defined by the act, and support specified types of programs in accordance with specified requirements and limitations.Subject to specified requirements and limitations, the department of labor and employment (CDLE) is required to expend at least 70% of the money transferred to the account by the close of state FY 2021-22 and any remaining money in state FY 2022-23 first for assistance programs that directly assist coal transition workers and then, if money remains, to support family and other household members of coal transition workers and create and implement a pilot program to test innovative coal transition work support programs.The act also:Amends and supplements existing definitions of "coal transition community" and "coal transition worker" to improve the implementation of just transition. For state FY 2020-21, appropriates $8,000,000 from the fund to CDLE for use by the office to implement the final just transition plan for Colorado and to provide supplemental funding for existing state programs that the office identifies as the most effective vehicles for targeted investment in coal transition communities as specified in the act. Any portion of the appropriation not spent by the close of state FY 2020-21 remains available for expenditure by the office for the same purposes until the close of state FY 2022-23. For state FY 2020-21, appropriates $7,000,000 from the account to CDLE for use by CDLE first for assistance programs that directly assist coal transition workers and then, if money remains, to support family and other household members of coal transition workers and create and implement a pilot program to test innovative coal transition work support programs as specified in the act. Any portion of the appropriation not spent by the close of state FY 2020-21 remains available for expenditure by CDLE for the same purposes until the close of state FY 2022-23.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The career development success program provides financial incentives for participating school districts and participating charter schools to encourage pupils enrolled in grades 9 through 12 to enroll in and successfully complete qualified industry-credential programs; qualified internship, residency, or construction industry pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship programs; and qualified advanced placement courses (programs and courses). The act amends the list of qualified programs by removing residency programs and expanding pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs to include any industry program, not just construction industry programs.The act expands the definition of a qualified industry-credential program to include a career and technical education program that, upon completion, results in an industry-recognized credential with labor market value aligned with a high-skill, high-wage, in-demand job.Current law requires the work force development council (council) to identify the qualified programs and courses by identifying the jobs included in the Colorado talent report with the greatest regional and state demand, including jobs in in-demand industries. The act requires the council to consult with relevant industries to identify the programs and courses by identifying high-skill, high-wage jobs in in-demand industries that have labor market value. Any programs and courses the council determines do not demonstrate labor market value may be removed from the council's website.Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, and each school year thereafter, the department of education (department), in coordination with the department of labor and employment, the department of higher education, the Colorado community college system, and employers from in-demand industries, shall identify the top 10 industry-recognized credentials that may be awarded to high school students. For each identified credential, the department shall specify how the courses taken to earn the credential align with the state academic standards.The act requires each participating school district, each nonparticipating school district on behalf of its participating charter schools, and the state charter school institute on behalf of each participating institute charter school to report to the department the total number of pupils who successfully complete a program or course, disaggregated by each student's race, ethnicity, and gender, and whether each student is a student with a disability, an English language learner, or eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.Current law requires each participating school district and each participating charter school to regularly communicate to all high school students the availability of programs and courses and the benefits a student receives as a result of successfully completing one of the programs or courses. The act expands this requirement to all middle school students and the students' families.The act requires each participating school district and each participating charter school to communicate how industry-recognized credentials and guaranteed-transfer pathways courses that are included in such credentials are aligned with postsecondary degrees and high-skill, high-wage, in-demand jobs, and the top 10 industry-recognized credentials identified by the department. The communications must be provided in a language that the students and the students' families understand.The act updates the department's annual reporting requirements to the general assembly to include:Whether the students participating in the programs and courses enlisted in the military or entered the workforce after graduation; How money received under the career development success program was used to promote the availability of programs and courses; and How the participating school district or participating charter school determined which programs and courses to offer, including how the programs and courses are aligned with local workforce needs. No later than July 1, 2022, the department, in collaboration with the Colorado community college system, shall publish and disseminate materials through existing and relevant platforms used to engage with districts that include, at a minimum, the top 10 industry-recognized credentials and a sample communications plan for how a participating school district or participating charter school may communicate the value of credentials and experiences to students and families.The act requires participating school districts and participating charter schools to utilize program funding to promote access to programs and courses.The act requires the return on investment report to include information specifically identifying the number of high school students enrolled and the number of degrees and certificates awarded through the career development success program.The act appropriates $20,000 from the general fund to the department of education to implement the act.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The act creates the fifth-day academic enrichment and support grant program (program) to award grants on a 3-year cycle to one or more eligible community-based nonprofit organizations (organizations) and to eligible rural school districts to provide supplemental enrichment programming to preschool through high school-aged children on the fifth day of the week for children in schools that have a 4-day school week.To be eligible for a grant, organizations must, in part, have experience providing before- and after-school programs, serve a majority of children from low-income families, and serve students who attend a school district that operates on a 4-day week. To be eligible for a grant, a rural school district must be rural, as determined by the department of education (department), have no eligible organization operating within the rural school district's boundaries, and serve a majority of children from low-income families.The state board of education (state board) awards program grants in a 3-year grant cycle, with an initial grant and automatic renewal of the grant for 2 years as set forth in the act. The amount of the initial and renewal grants is determined by the state board based on the number of children served in the program and other criteria specified in the act. The state board shall promulgate rules to establish the program, including the application process and deadlines.Grants must be used for one or more of the purposes specified in the act, including to provide supplemental educational programming to support students' academic, social, and emotional development on the fifth day of a 4-day school week, to provide meals and transportation for students attending the program, and to acquire educational materials and necessary technology to provide supplemental educational programming. Grantees are required to report annually to the department on the use of the grant money, with the department reporting to certain committees of the general assembly.The act creates the fifth-day academic enrichment and support grant program fund for program grants, consisting of money appropriated or transferred to the fund by the general assembly. The department shall not implement or administer the program unless the general assembly appropriates sufficient money to the fund for the program.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The act states that, upon passage of the act, verification of lawful presence in the United States is not required for any purpose that lawful presence is not required by law, ordinance, or rule to receive benefits pursuant to a federal stimulus law or rule.Effective July 1, 2022, the act repeals current laws that require a person to demonstrate the person's lawful presence in the United States to be eligible for certain public benefits and states that lawful presence is not a requirement of eligibility for state or local public benefits, as defined by 8 U.S.C. sec. 1621.The act amends certain statutory provisions to clarify acceptable documents to demonstrate eligibility.Current law prohibits a state agency or political subdivision from entering into or renewing a public contract with a contractor who knowingly employs or contracts persons who are undocumented. The act repeals that requirement and associated statutory provisions.The act appropriates:$178,627 to the department of human services to implement the act. $47,768 is from the general fund and $130,859 is from the federal child care development funds; and $83,881 from the general fund to the department of revenue for use by the taxation business group to implement the act.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The act creates the financial empowerment office (office) and the director of the office (director) in the department of law to grow the financial resilience and well-being of Coloradans through specified community-derived goals and strategies. The director is appointed by the attorney general and may hire staff as necessary to perform the duties and functions of the office. The office also consists of a manager who is appointed by the director.The office is authorized to partner with governmental bodies, community organizations, financial institutions, local service providers, philanthropic organizations, and other organizations as necessary to achieve the purposes of the office. The office is also authorized to develop or promote new or existing:Methods to increase access to safe and affordable financial products; Tools and resources that advance, increase, and improve Colorado residents' financial management; Community-informed strategies that dismantle systemic barriers to building ownership and wealth for all, especially low-income communities and communities of color; and Tools that promote financial stability such as those that assist with service navigation, eviction avoidance, or connections to income supports. The financial empowerment office is required to:Support the organization of community efforts to define and lead financial resilience strategies; Align, support, and build ties to build financial education and well-being in communities across the state; Establish a council to assist the director; Work with stakeholders to increase access to safe and affordable credit-building loans and financial products and to identify products and practices that may undermine financial stability; Develop technical assistance to launch or expand local financial coaching and counseling efforts; Raise money to support coaching, safe and affordable banking, and potential loan funds; and Track community feedback on consumer financial abuses. The department of law is required to report on affordable banking access in Colorado and other specified information as part of its presentation under the "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act".(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)