New 2019 Legislation
On May 31, 2019, Governor Jared Polis signed SB19-193 Sunset Continue Colorado Medical Practice Act. The new law goes into effect on July 1, 2019, and continues the Colorado Medical Board in the Department of Regulatory Agencies until September 1, 2026. It also implements the following recommendations from the Sunset Review:
The Colorado Medical Board's new sunset date is September 1, 2026.
On May 31, 2019, Governor Jared Polis signed HB19-1129 Prohibit Conversion Therapy for a Minor. The new law goes into effect on August 2, 2019, and prohibits a licensed physician specializing in psychiatry or a licensed, certified, or registered mental health care provider from engaging in conversion therapy with a patient under 18 years of age. Any licensee who engages in these practices is subject to disciplinary action by the appropriate mental health licensing board or the Colorado Medical Board, respectively.
On May 29, 2019, Governor Jared Polis signed SB19-218 Sunset Medical Marijuana Program. This bill extends the Medical Marijuana Program in the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) until September 1, 2028, implements recommendations from the Department of Regulatory Agencies sunset review and makes a number of other changes. Specifically, the bill clarifies that:
On May 23, 2019, Governor Jared Polis signed SB19-228 Substance Use Disorders Prevention. The law went into effect immediately upon the Governor's signature and requires certain health care providers with prescriptive authority to complete substance use disorder training as part of the continuing education requirement for professional license renewal on or after October 1, 2019. The new requirements apply to podiatrists, physicians, physician assistants, dentists, advanced practice nurses, optometrists, and veterinarians, and prescribers must be able to demonstrate competency regarding:
The law exempts any provider from the continuing education requirements who meets the following criteria:
In addition to the continuing education requirements, the new law includes the following provisions:
On May 6, 2019, Governor Jared Polis signed SB 19-201 Open Discussions About Adverse Health Care Incidents. This new law creates the "Colorado Candor Act" and establishes a process for the communication between a patient and a healthcare provider or health facility after an adverse health care incident. Under the new law, if an adverse health care incident occurs, a health care provider involved with the incident, either individually or jointly with the facility involved, may request that the patient enters into an open discussion concerning the incident. The request must include certain components listed in the law.
If an offer of compensation is made, the new law requires certain processes for payment and financial resolution to be followed. If a health care provider or health facility determines that no offer of compensation is warranted, the health care provider or health facility shall orally communicate that decision with the patient.
A health care provider or facility may provide de-identified information about an adverse health care incident to any patient safety centered nonprofit organization.