Page 1
July 10, 2023 HB 23-1071
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
Final Fiscal Note
Drafting Number:
Prime Sponsors:
LLS 23-0051
Rep. Amabile; Bradfield
Sen. Simpson; Fenberg
Date:
Bill Status:
Fiscal Analyst:
July 10, 2023
Signed into Law
Shukria Maktabi | 303-866-4720
shukria.maktabi@coleg.gov
Bill Topic: LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY
Summary of
Fiscal Impact:
☒ State Revenue
☒ State Expenditure
☐ State Transfer
☐ TABOR Refund
☐ Local Government
☐ Statutory Public Entity
The bill allows licensed psychologists to obtain certification to prescribe psychotropic
medications and requires that one member on the State Board of Psychologist
Examiners be a prescribing psychologist. The bill minimally increases state revenue
and workload on an ongoing basis.
Appropriation
Summary:
No appropriation is required.
Fiscal Note
Status:
The fiscal note reflects the enacted bill.
Summary of Legislation
This bill allows licensed psychologists to prescribe and administer psychotropic medications by
obtaining a prescription certificate issued by the State Board of Psychologist Examiners (board) in the
Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
The bill outlines the criteria and process for obtaining a prescription certificate. Once granted, the
psychologist must maintain a collaborative relationship with the patient’s health provider and meet
certain practicum and continuing education requirements. A prescribing psychologist must disclose
that they are not a physician licensed to practice medicine and obtain consent from the patient.
The bill also adds a requirement that one member of the board be a prescribing psychologist.
Additionally, the board can establish rules for certification and suspension of a certificate, must keep
records of all prescribing psychologists, and handle complaints received. DORA is required to collect
and share information on prescribing psychologists for inclusion in sunset reviews that concern the
regulation of mental health professionals.
Page 2
July 10, 2023 HB 23-1071
State Revenue
Beginning in FY 2023-24, the bill increases fee revenue to the Division of Professions and Occupation
Cash Fund in DORA from issuing certificates. Due to the low number of expected applications, fee
revenue is expected to be minimal. This revenue is subject to TABOR.
State Expenditures
Beginning in FY 2023-24, workload in DORA will increase to approve certificate applications, conduct
outreach and education, expand the board, and process complaints received. The department may
also require legal counsel and rulemaking support, provided by the Department of Law. Due to the
relatively low number of prescribing psychologists in other states, this workload can be accomplished
with existing resources.
Effective Date
The bill was signed into law by the Governor on March 3, 2023, and takes effect on August 7, 2023,
assuming no referendum petition is filed.
State and Local Government Contacts
Higher Education Human Services Information Technology
Law Regulatory Agencies
The revenue and expenditure impacts in this fiscal note represent changes from current law under the bill for each
fiscal year. For additional information about fiscal notes, please visit: leg.colorado.gov/fiscalnotes.