The bill sets the reimbursement rates that a health insurance carrier (carrier) may reimburse a health-care provider (provider) for covered services for the state employee group benefit plans (state group benefit plans) and for small employer group benefit plans (small group plans). The bill prohibits a provider that is subject to the reimbursement limitations from billing or collecting payment from a person covered under a state group benefit plan or small group plan for any outstanding balance for covered services that is not reimbursed by the carrier, except for the applicable in-network coinsurance, copayment, or deductible amounts. The bill requires a carrier to provide cost and quality of care information to the commissioner of insurance (commissioner) in the case of small group plans and to the director of the department of personnel (director) in the case of state group benefit plans, at the request of the commissioner or director, as applicable, and prohibits a carrier from entering into an agreement with a provider or third party that would restrict the carrier from providing the information. By September 1, 2027, and by September 1 each year thereafter, the director is required to provide a report to the governor's office, the state treasurer's office, and the joint budget committee that states the amount of calculated savings in general fund expenditures (calculated savings), if any, for health plan reimbursement for the prior fiscal year as a result of the reimbursement limits for state group benefit plans. The director is also required to include in the report the cost to the department in determining the calculated savings. By September 15, 2027, and by September 15 each year thereafter, of the money from the calculated savings, the state treasurer is required to transfer an amount equal to the department's costs in determining the calculated savings to the group benefit plans expenditure savings cash fund (expenditure savings cash fund), which is created in the bill, and specified percentages of the calculated savings from the general fund to the primary care fund and to the expenditure savings cash fund. The bill also requires the executive director of the department of health care policy and financing (state department) to conduct a study, in collaboration with specified state agencies, to determine the feasibility of establishing a similar reimbursement limit for group benefit plans offered to school district, higher education, and local government employees. The executive director is required to complete the study and report the findings to the general assembly on or before January 1, 2028. The bill allocates $500,000 from the calculated savings to a health care reimbursement feasibility study cash fund created in the bill and authorizes the state department to use the money to conduct the study. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
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The bill requires a subject jurisdiction, on or after December 31, 2026, to allow a residential development to be constructed on a qualifying property that does not contain an exempt parcel, subject to an administrative approval process. A subject jurisdiction shall not allow a residential development to be constructed on a qualifying property unless the residential development complies with certain affordability requirements. The bill specifies that a subject jurisdiction shall not: Disallow construction of a residential development on the basis of height if the tallest structure in the residential development is no more than 3 stories or 45 feet tall; Disallow construction of a residential development on the basis of height if the tallest structure in the residential development complies with the height-related standards for the zoning district in which the residential development will be built or any zoning district parcel that is contiguous to the qualifying property on which the residential development will be built; Disallow construction of a residential development based on the number of dwelling units that the residential development will contain, except in accordance with standards listed in the bill; or Apply standards to a residential development on a qualifying property that are more restrictive than the standards the subject jurisdiction applies to similar housing constructed within the subject jurisdiction, including standards related to structure setbacks from property lines; lot coverage or open space; on-site parking requirements; numbers of bedrooms in a multifamily residential development; or on-site landscaping, screening, and buffering requirements; or minimum dwelling units per acre. A subject jurisdiction shall allow the following uses in a residential development on a qualifying property: Childcare; and The provision of recreational, social, or educational services provided by community organizations for use by the residents of the residential development and the surrounding community. A subject jurisdiction may condition additional uses in a residential development on the uses being allowed only on the ground floor of the residential development and the uses occupying no more than 15% of the ground floor area of the residential development. The bill requires a faith-based organization, school district, or state college or university to notify the county assessor that a subject jurisdiction has allowed the construction of a residential development on a qualifying property within the county. (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.) (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
The bill affords a plaintiff and defendant the right to trial by jury to decide all issues of fact in any action brought for unlawful detention of real property; except that, an action brought against a defendant who is a tenant of public housing that is owned or operated by a public housing agency must be tried by the court. The bill requires at least one attempt on 3 2 separate days of personal service on the defendant in an action for unlawful detention of real property. The bill requires an affidavit of service to be filed with the court. The bill requires a defendant who demands a trial by jury to make the demand in accordance with the Colorado rules of civil procedure or file a separate jury demand with the defendant's answer. The bill requires the court to set the date for trial no sooner than 10 days after the answer is filed. The bill authorizes the court to continue the trial if a party demands a trial by jury. The bill authorizes the court, upon its own motion or the motion of either party, to strike a jury demand and set the action for a trial by the court if the court determines that the defendant's answer only asserts equitable defenses and there is no dispute as to any material fact regarding the plaintiff's claim for possession of the premises or damages. The bill authorizes the court to allow either party, counsel for either party, and any witness to appear remotely by phone or video at a jury trial as an accommodation for a person with a disability or upon adequate assurances that the remote participation will not cause unreasonable delay. If either party requests a delay in a trial longer than 14 days, the bill authorizes the court, in the court's discretion upon a showing of a party's substantial likelihood of suffering serious economic harm, to require either party to give bond or other security to the opposite party for the sum that the party may be harmed due to the delay. The party required to make payment to the court must be given at least 7 days after the court's order to make the payment. If the party fails to make payment within the time required, the bill authorizes the court to extend the time for compliance or reset the hearing or trial for the next available date, but the court is prohibited from entering a default against the party. Upon a showing of indigency by the party required to make payment, the bill requires the court to waive or reduce the bond or other security, provide additional time to make payment, and permit the party to make multiple partial payments. Current law prohibits a written rental agreement from including a waiver of the right to a jury trial, except when the parties agree to a waiver of a jury in a hearing to determine possession of a dwelling unit. The bill removes this exemption. (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.) (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
The act continues the early childhood leadership commission (commission) housed in the department of early childhood for 5 years, repealing on September 1, 2030. Before its repeal, the commission is subject to a sunset review. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The act requires the state board of health (board) to allow the Colorado youth advisory council (council) to present to the board twice a year on issues regarding the youth opioid epidemic and other health issues. The act also allows the council to consult the prevention services division within the department of public health and environment during the stakeholding process for rule-making regarding opioid antagonists. Under current law, a school district, the state charter school institute, or a governing board of a nonpublic school may adopt and implement a policy that allows: A school to acquire and maintain a stock supply of opioid antagonists on school grounds or on a school bus; A school employee or agent who has received relevant training to administer an opioid antagonist to a person who is at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose; and A school employee or agent to furnish an opioid antagonist to any individual, including a student, if the student has received relevant training. The act: Permits a school to maintain an opioid antagonist in an automated external defibrillator or defibrillator cabinet in the school or on a school bus; Repeals the requirement that a school employee or agent must receive training prior to administering an opioid antagonist; and Creates an exception that a school employee or agent may furnish an opioid antagonist to a student who has not received relevant training if the employee or agent believes that the student is in a position to assist an individual who is suffering from an opioid-related drug overdose event or who is at risk of experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose event. Current law provides a specific list of eligible entities that a prescriber may prescribe or dispense an opioid antagonist to. The act eliminates the specific list and instead requires the state board of health to establish a list of eligible entities that a prescriber may prescribe or dispense an opioid antagonist to. The act permits a standing order allowing all eligible entities to distribute opioid antagonists. The act requires the department of public health and environment to furnish a report detailing youth overdose prevention during "SMART Act" hearings. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The act makes changes to the "Dental Practice Act" (act) by: Continuing the act for 9 years, until 2034; Updating and adding definitions; Changing the membership of the Colorado dental board (board); Adding to and updating the grounds for which the board may take disciplinary action against an applicant for licensure or a licensee; Allowing a licensee's submission to a mental or physical examination to satisfy the requirement to notify the board of a condition that may impair the licensee's ability to practice; Adding as exemptions to the act the volunteer practice of dental therapy and dental hygiene under specific conditions; Subjecting dentistry practiced by a professional service corporation to certain limits and requirements; Repealing exceptions that allow a dental therapist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant to perform certain dentistry practices and including additional tasks in the practice of dentistry; Clarifying that a dental assistant, dental hygienist, or dental therapist may perform tasks consistent with rules adopted by the board; Requiring a provider who performs itinerant surgery to develop and maintain protocols for emergency follow-up care; Clarifying the authority of a licensed dentist to prescribe orders electronically; Requiring a peer health assistance program selected as a designated provider for the dentist peer health assistance program to provide training to dentists who practice monitoring services; Authorizing a dentist to self-refer to participate in a peer health assistance program or be referred by the board; Removing a requirement that dental therapy education schools and programs must be accredited or approved by a specific entity; Requiring the board to adopt rules that allow for expedited, temporary licensure during a declared disaster emergency; Regulating anesthesia inspectors and requiring the board to design and implement expedited permitting of dentists with certain anesthesia or sedation training; Updating the business information a licensee must provide to the board and the circumstances under which providing the information is required; Repealing specific tasks that are currently authorized to be performed by a dental hygienist; Updating procedures for the construction of dental devices by an unlicensed technician; Updating the list of practices that are considered to be the practice of unsupervised dental hygiene; Repealing the specific dosages of certain drugs that a dental hygienist may prescribe; Authorizing the board to adopt rules that identify safe prescribing alternatives to silver diamine fluoride as a treatment for strengthening teeth and preventing tooth decay; Identifying tasks that constitute practicing supervised dental hygiene; Requiring a dental hygienist performing an interim therapeutic restoration to confirm a referral for follow-up care with a dentist; Limiting the number of dental hygienists or dental therapists that a dentist may supervise; and Authorizing a dental therapist to perform specific tasks.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 25-015 designates a specific portion of Colorado State Highway 58 as the "Officer Evan A. Dunn Memorial Highway." This action honors Officer Evan A. Dunn, a Golden Police Department officer who died in the line of duty. The bill authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation to accept donations for the initial placement of memorial signs and to explore a cooperative agreement with the City of Golden for their maintenance.
The act changes the tuition assistance program for eligible members of the Colorado National Guard (member) to a tuition waiver program (program). The act allows a member, upon being accepted for enrollment at a designated institution of higher education (institution), to pursue studies that lead to a postgraduate degree, a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, or a certificate of completion with all tuition waived. For a member, the tuition waiver must not exceed more than 65 credit hours at a designated 2-year institution of higher education and no more than 130 credit hours at a designated 4-year institution of higher education; except that the total credit hours for a member who attends both a 2-year institution and a 4-year institution must not exceed more than 145 credit hours. The department of military and veterans affairs (department) shall administer the program. In order to qualify for the program, a member must: Be accepted by an institution; Be in good standing with the Colorado National Guard; and Complete a Colorado application for state financial aid or a free application for federal student aid. Each institution shall determine if a member enrolled with the institution remains in satisfactory academic standing in accordance with the academic policies of the institution and is making progress toward the completion of the requirements of the education program in which the member is enrolled. If the institution finds that the member is not in satisfactory academic standing in accordance with the academic policies of the institution or is not making progress toward the completion of a degree, the member must reimburse the department for the amount of the tuition waived for that academic term. The act makes an appropriation of $562,787 to the department. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Under current law, a parent who wants to relinquish their child must satisfy certain requirements. If the parent who wants to relinquish their child is a victim of sexual assault that resulted in the conception of the child to be relinquished, the act: Allows the relinquishment petitioner (petitioner) to provide the juvenile court with documentation concerning the sexual assault or conception, including a sworn affidavit; Exempts the petitioner from having to satisfy certain relinquishment requirements if the court finds that the petitioner is a victim of sexual assault that resulted in the conception of the child to be relinquished; and Exempts the petitioner of all legal obligations they may have with respect to the child if the court grants a final order of relinquishment. On or before January 1, 2026, the state court administrator shall develop a, or modify an existing, standardized form for a petitioner to file to terminate another person's parent-child legal relationship because the child was conceived as a result of sexual assault. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Under current law, common interest communities are encouraged to use mediation prior to filing a complaint with the court. The bill requires permits a dispute between a unit owner and a unit owners' association to go through an internal dispute resolution process participate in an informal negotiation and mediation to resolve the dispute before the parties can file a complaint with the court. If the parties are unable to reach a mediation agreement, the bill allows the parties to undergo arbitration or commence a legal proceeding. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement during the informal negotiation, either party may file a complaint with the court and the court must order the parties to participate in mediation, if mediation has not already taken place. (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.) (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)