First Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REREVISED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the Second House
LLS NO. 25-0593.01 Christy Chase x2008
HOUSE BILL 25-1027
House Committees Senate Committees
Health & Human Services Health & Human Services
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING MODIFICATIONS TO STATUTES GOVERNING DISEASE101
CONTROL.102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
The bill amends various statutes governing the operations of the
department of public health and environment (department) regarding
disease control. Specifically, sections 1 through 9 of the bill:
! Repeal the governor's expert emergency epidemic response
committee (GEEERC);
! Direct the state board of health to review and approve the
SENATE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 14, 2025
SENATE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 13, 2025
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
February 7, 2025
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
February 6, 2025
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Gilchrist and Brown, Bacon, Boesenecker, Duran, Froelich, Garcia, Hamrick, Lindsay,
Mabrey, McCluskie, McCormick, Rutinel, Rydin, Sirota, Smith, Story, Titone, Willford
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Daugherty and Mullica, Amabile, Ball, Bridges, Coleman, Cutter, Exum, Gonzales J.,
Jodeh, Kipp, Kolker, Michaelson Jenet, Roberts, Weissman, Winter F.
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. department's emergency response and recovery plan every
3 years; and
! Require the executive director of the department or, if the
executive director is not the chief medical officer, the chief
medical officer to convene a group of subject matter
experts to develop crisis standards of care to be used in
responding to a public health emergency.
Sections 10 through 15 modify school immunization provisions
as follows to:
! Allow the records of a physician assistant to be used to
create a certificate of immunization for a student;
! Eliminate a provision regarding a plan for complying with
immunization requirements since it is not one of the ways
for complying with school immunization requirements;
! Repeal the 14-day period within which a student whose
certificate of immunization is not up to date to comply with
immunization requirements to attend school and instead
direct the state board of health to establish a timeline for
compliance that is no shorter than 14 days after notice of
noncompliance is received;
! Extend from February 15 to April 15 the deadline for a
school to distribute the annual letter to parents specifying
the school's aggregate immunization rates and the
immunization requirements applicable for the next school
year;
! Remove gendered pronouns and replace them with
gender-neutral language; and
! Repeal the requirement for schools to notify the department
and the local public health agency when a student is
suspended or expelled from school for noncompliance with
immunization requirements.
Section 16 extends from July 15 to September 15 the date by
which the department is required to submit to the general assembly an
annual report summarizing health-care-associated infections data received
from health facilities in the state.
Section 17 repeals the requirement for certain health-care
providers to offer a hepatitis C screening test to individuals born between
1945 and 1965 and instead directs the state board of health to adopt
standards, consistent with recommendations from the federal centers for
disease control and prevention, for hepatitis C screening tests.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-1-105, add (4) as2
1027-2- follows:1
25-1-105. Executive director - chief medical officer -2
qualifications - salary - office - duties - crisis standards of care.3
(4) (a) I
N THE EVENT OF A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY , IF THE GOVERNOR4
AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND , IF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS NOT5
THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AGREE THAT6
CRISIS STANDARDS OF CARE ARE NEEDED TO RESPOND TO THE PUBLIC7
HEALTH EMERGENCY , THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR, IF THE EXECUTIVE8
DIRECTOR IS NOT THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER , THE CHIEF MEDICAL9
OFFICER SHALL:10
(I) A
SSEMBLE A GROUP OF SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO DEVELOP11
CRISIS STANDARDS OF CARE FOR USE BY HEALTH -CARE PROVIDERS AND12
HEALTH-CARE FACILITIES IN RESPONDING TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH13
EMERGENCY; AND14
(II) A
CTIVATE ALL OR PORTIONS OF THE CRISIS STANDARDS OF15
CARE AS NEEDED DURING THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY .16
(b) U
PON AGREEMENT OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE EXECUTIVE17
DIRECTOR AND, IF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS NOT THE CHIEF MEDICAL18
OFFICER, THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER THAT THE CRISIS STANDARDS OF19
CARE ARE NO LONGER NEEDED TO RESPOND TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH20
EMERGENCY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR, IF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR21
IS NOT THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER SHALL22
VACATE THE CRISIS STANDARDS OF CARE .23
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-1-108, add (1)(i)24
as follows:25
25-1-108. Powers and duties of state board of health - rules -26
definitions. (1) In addition to all other powers and duties conferred and27
1027
-3- imposed upon the state board of health by this part 1, the board has the1
following specific powers and duties:2
(i) (I) EVERY THREE YEARS, TO REVIEW AND AMEND , AS3
NECESSARY, THE DEPARTMENT'S INTERNAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND4
RECOVERY PLAN THAT ADDRESSES THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO ACTS5
OF BIOTERRORISM, PANDEMIC INFLUENZA, AND EPIDEMICS CAUSED BY6
NOVEL AND HIGHLY FATAL INFECTIOUS AGENTS .7
(II) A
S USED IN THIS SUBSECTION (1)(i):8
(A) "I
NTERNAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RECOVERY PLAN "9
MEANS THE PORTION OF THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN10
PREPARED AND UPDATED BY THE DEPARTMENT THAT SPECIFIES11
OPERATIONS THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IF THERE IS AN OCCURRENCE OR12
IMMINENT THREAT OF AN EMERGENCY EPIDEMIC .13
(B) "S
TATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN " MEANS THE PLAN14
DEVELOPED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 24-33.5-705 (2) BY THE OFFICE15
OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN THE DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY16
AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY17
TO ADDRESS THE PREPARATION, PREVENTION, MITIGATION, RESPONSE, AND18
RECOVERY FROM EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS .19
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 24-33.5-704.520
(1).21
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-704.5,22
amend (2) as follows:23
24-33.5-704.5. Continuity of operations plans - reports to24
general assembly. (2) Each department that administers a publicly25
funded safety net program shall develop a continuity of operations plan26
The plan shall establish
THAT ESTABLISHES procedures for the response27
1027
-4- by, and continuation of operations of, the department and the SAFETY NET1
program in the event of an emergency epidemic. Each department shall2
file its plan with the executive director of the department of public health3
and environment and shall update the plan at least annually. In addition,4
notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11), each department shall submit a5
report by March 1 of each year to the health and human services6
committee COMMITTEES of the senate and the public health care and7
human services committee of the house of representatives, or any8
successor committees, regarding the status of the department's plan, as9
well as the status of any other plans or procedures of the department10
regarding emergency and disaster preparedness.11
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 2-3-1502, repeal (6)12
as follows:13
2-3-1502. Definitions. As used in this part 15, unless the context14
otherwise requires:15
(6) "GEEERC" means the governor's expert emergency epidemic16
response committee created in section 24-33.5-704.5.17
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 2-3-1503, amend18
(1)(a) and (2) as follows:19
2-3-1503. Legislative emergency preparedness, response, and20
recovery committee - creation - membership - duties. (1) (a) There is21
hereby created a legislative emergency preparedness, response, and22
recovery committee. The legislative committee shall develop a plan for23
the response by, and continuation of operations of, the general assembly24
and the legislative service agencies in the event of an emergency25
epidemic or disaster. The legislative committee shall cooperate and26
coordinate with the division
AND the department and the GEEERC
in27
1027
-5- developing the plan The legislative committee shall develop and SHALL1
submit the plan to the speaker of the house of representatives, the2
president of the senate, the governor, the executive director of the3
department,
AND the director of the division. and the GEEERC no later
4
than July 1, 2011. The legislative committee shall meet at least annually5
to review and amend the plan as necessary and shall provide any updated6
plan to the persons INDIVIDUALS or entities specified in this paragraph (a)7
SUBSECTION (1)(a). The legislative committee may recommend legislation8
pertaining to the preparedness, response, and recovery by, and9
continuation of operations of, the general assembly and the legislative10
service agencies in the event of an emergency epidemic or disaster. The11
legislative committee shall provide information to and fully cooperate12
with the division
AND the department and the GEEERC
in fulfilling its13
duties under this section.14
(2) In the event of an emergency epidemic or disaster that the15
governor declares to be a disaster emergency pursuant to section16
24-33.5-704, C.R.S., the legislative committee shall convene as rapidly17
and as often as necessary to advise the speaker of the house of18
representatives, the president of the senate, and the legislative service19
agencies regarding reasonable and appropriate measures to be taken by20
the general assembly and the legislative service agencies to respond to the21
emergency epidemic or disaster and protect the public health, safety, and22
welfare. The legislative committee shall communicate, cooperate, and23
seek advice and assistance from the division
AND the department and the
24
GEEERC in responding to the emergency epidemic or disaster.25
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-703, repeal26
(2) as follows:27
1027
-6- 24-33.5-703. Definitions. As used in this part 7, unless the1
context otherwise requires:2
(2) "Committee" means the governor's expert emergency epidemic3
response committee created in section 24-33.5-704.5.4
SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33.5-711.5,5
amend (1) as follows:6
24-33.5-711.5. Liability - limits on damages and compensation7
- immunity for good faith compliance with rules and orders.8
(1) Neither The state nor the members of the expert emergency epidemic9
response committee designated or appointed pursuant to section10
24-33.5-704.5 are IS NOT liable for any A claim based upon the11
committee's advice PROVIDED BY AN OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF A STATE12
DEPARTMENT to the governor or the alleged negligent exercise or13
performance of, or failure to exercise or perform, an act relating to an14
emergency epidemic. Liability against a member of the committee AN15
OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF A STATE DEPARTMENT may be found only for16
wanton or willful misconduct or willful disregard of the best interests of17
protecting and maintaining the public health. Damages awarded on the18
basis of such liability shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars for19
any injury to or damage suffered by one person or three hundred thousand20
dollars for an injury to or damage suffered by three or more persons in the21
course of an emergency epidemic.22
SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-1.5-102, amend23
(1)(b)(I) as follows:24
25-1.5-102. Epidemic and communicable diseases - powers and25
duties of department - rules - definitions. (1) The department has, in26
addition to all other powers and duties imposed upon it by law, the27
1027
-7- powers and duties provided in this section as follows:1
(b) (I) To investigate and monitor the spread of disease that is2
considered part of an emergency epidemic, as defined in section3
24-33.5-703 (4), to determine the extent of environmental contamination4
resulting from the emergency epidemic, and to rapidly provide5
epidemiological and environmental information to the governor's expert6
emergency epidemic response committee, created in section7
24-33.5-704.5 STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.8
SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-4-901, repeal9
(1); and add (1.6) and (1.8) as follows:10
25-4-901. Definitions. As used in this part 9, unless the context11
otherwise requires:12
(1) "Certificate of immunization" means one of the following13
forms of documentation that include the dates and types of immunizations14
administered to a student:15
(a) A paper document that includes information transferred from16
the records of a licensed physician, registered nurse, or public health17
official; or18
(b) An electronic file or a hard copy of an electronic file provided19
to the school directly from the immunization tracking system, established20
pursuant to section 25-4-2403.21
(1.6) "IMMUNIZATION RECORD" MEANS A PAPER OR ELECTRONIC22
DOCUMENT FROM THE RECORDS OF A LICENSED PHYSICIAN, A PHYSICIAN23
ASSISTANT AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12-240-107 (6), AN24
ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE, OR A PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIAL25
THAT INCLUDES THE DATES AND TYPES OF IMMUNIZATIONS ADMINISTERED26
TO A STUDENT.27
1027
-8- (1.8) "OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION" MEANS ONE OF1
THE FOLLOWING FORMS OF DOCUMENTATION THAT INCLUDES THE DATES2
AND TYPES OF IMMUNIZATIONS ADMINISTERED TO A STUDENT :3
(a) INFORMATION FROM AN IMMUNIZATION RECORD TRANSFERRED4
BY A LICENSED PHYSICIAN, A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT AUTHORIZED5
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12-240-107 (6), AN ADVANCED PRACTICE6
REGISTERED NURSE, A PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIAL, OR A SCHOOL OFFICIAL7
ONTO A PAPER OR ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF8
IMMUNIZATION FORM CREATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF9
PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT ; OR10
(b) AN ELECTRONIC FILE OR A HARD COPY OF AN ELECTRONIC FILE11
PROVIDED TO THE SCHOOL DIRECTLY FROM THE IMMUNIZATION TRACKING12
SYSTEM, ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 25-4-2403.13
SECTION 11. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-4-902, amend14
(1) introductory portion, (1)(a), (2), (3), (4)(a)(II), and (4)(b); and repeal15
(1)(b) as follows:16
25-4-902. Immunization prior to attending school -17
standardized immunization information. (1) A student shall not attend18
any school in the state of Colorado on or after the dates specified in19
section 25-4-906 (4) unless he or she THE STUDENT OR THE STUDENT 'S20
PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN has presented one of the following to the21
appropriate school official:22
(a) An up-to-date OFFICIAL certificate of immunization from a23
licensed physician, physician assistant authorized pursuant to section24
12-240-107 (6), advanced practice registered nurse, or authorized25
representative of the department of public health and environment or a26
local public health agency stating that the student has received27
1027
-9- immunization against communicable diseases as specified by the state1
board of health based on recommendations of the advisory committee on2
immunization practices of the centers for disease control and prevention3
in the federal department of health and human services IN RULES ADOPTED4
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 25-4-904 (1); or5
(b) A written authorization signed by one parent or legal guardian,6
an emancipated student, or a student eighteen years of age or older7
requesting that local public health officials administer the immunizations;8
or9
10
(2) If the student's OFFICIAL certificate of immunization is not up11
to date according to the requirements of the state board of health, the12
parent or guardian OF THE STUDENT or, IF THE STUDENT IS EMANCIPATED13
OR EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, the emancipated student or the14
student eighteen years of age or older shall submit to the school, within15
fourteen THIRTY days after receiving direct personal notification that the16
OFFICIAL certificate OF IMMUNIZATION is not up to date, documentation17
INDICATING that the next required immunization has been given and THAT18
INCLUDES a written plan for completion of all required immunizations.19
The scheduling of immunizations in the written plan shall follow20
medically recommended minimum intervals approved by the state board21
of health. If the student begins but does not continue or complete the22
written plan, he or she THE SCHOOL shall be suspended or expelled23
SUSPEND OR EXPEL THE STUDENT pursuant to this part 9.24
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this25
section, a school shall enroll a student who is in out-of-home placement26
within five school days after receiving the student's education information27
1027
-10- and records as required in section 22-32-138, C.R.S., regardless of1
whether the school has received the items specified in subsection (1) of2
this section. Upon enrolling the student,
THE REQUIREMENTS OF3
SUBSECTIONS (1) AND (2) OF THIS SECTION APPLY, AND the school shall4
notify the student's legal guardian that, unless the school receives the5
student's
OFFICIAL certificate of immunization or a written authorization6
for administration of immunizations CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION within7
fourteen days after the student enrolls, the school shall WILL suspend the8
student until such time as the school receives the OFFICIAL certificate of9
immunization or the authorization CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION.10
(4) (a) On or before January 15, 2021, the department of public11
health and environment shall develop and provide to the department of12
education and the department of human services a standardized document13
regarding childhood immunizations. The department of education and the14
department of human services shall post the standardized immunization15
document on their websites on or before January 31, 2021, and on or16
before January 31 each year thereafter. The standardized document must17
be updated annually and must include, but need not be limited to:18
(II) A list of immunizations currently recommended for children19
by the advisory committee on immunization practices of the centers for20
disease control and prevention in the federal department of health and21
human services and the recommended age at which each immunization22
should be given,
AS SPECIFIED BY THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH IN RULES
23
ADOPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 25-4-904 (1);24
(4) (b) On or before February 15, 2021 APRIL 15, 2026, and on or25
before February 15 APRIL 15 each year thereafter, a school shall include26
on the document
DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (4)(a) OF THIS SECTION the27
1027
-11- school's specific immunization and exemption rates for the measles,1
mumps, and rubella vaccine for the school's enrolled student population2
for the prior school year compared to the vaccinated children standard3
described in section 25-4-911. The school may include on the document4
the school's specific immunization and exemption rates for any other5
vaccine for the school's enrolled student population for the prior school6
year. The school shall directly distribute the document to the parent or7
legal guardian of each student enrolled in its school, emancipated8
students, or students eighteen years of age or older, consistent with9
section 25-4-903 (5).10
SECTION 12. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-4-902.5, amend11
(1) as follows:12
25-4-902.5. Immunization prior to attending a college or13
university - tuberculosis screening process development. (1) Except14
as provided in section 25-4-903, no A student shall NOT attend any college15
or university in the state of Colorado on or after the dates specified in16
section 25-4-906 (4) unless the student can present to the appropriate17
official of the school a AN OFFICIAL certificate of immunization from a18
licensed physician, licensed physician assistant authorized under section19
12-240-107 (6), licensed advanced practice registered nurse, or authorized20
representative of the department of public health and environment or21
county, district, or municipal public health agency stating that the student22
has received immunization against communicable diseases as specified23
by the state board of health. or a written authorization signed by one24
parent or guardian or the emancipated student or the student eighteen25
years of age or older requesting that local health officials administer the26
immunizations or a plan signed by one parent or guardian or the27
1027
-12- emancipated student or the student eighteen years of age or older for1
receipt by the student of the required inoculation or the first or the next2
required of a series of inoculations within thirty days.3
SECTION 13. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-4-903, amend4
(2) introductory portion, (2)(a), (2)(b)(II)(B), (2.2)(a)(III), (2.2)(b)(II),5
and (2.2)(b)(III) as follows:6
25-4-903. Exemptions from immunization - rules. (2) A7
U
NLESS A STUDENT IS EXEMPTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION , THE parent8
or legal guardian
OF A STUDENT shall have his or her
THE student9
immunized, unless the student is exempted pursuant to this section, or an10
emancipated student or a student eighteen years of age or older OR, IF A11
STUDENT IS EMANCIPATED OR EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER , THE12
STUDENT shall have himself or herself THEMSELF immunized. unless the13
student is exempted pursuant to this section. A student is exempted from14
receiving the required immunizations in the following manner:15
(a) By submitting to the student's school a completed certificate16
of medical exemption from a licensed physician, physician assistant17
authorized pursuant to section 12-240-107 (6), or advanced practice18
registered nurse that the physical condition of the student is such that one19
or more specified immunizations would endanger his or her THE20
STUDENT'S life or health or are medically contraindicated due to other21
medical conditions; or22
(b) (II) (B) A complete certificate of nonmedical exemption must23
include the signature of a person who is authorized pursuant to title 12 to24
administer immunizations within his or her THE PERSON'S scope of25
practice to the student for whom the certificate of nonmedical exemption26
is sought. Nothing in this subsection (2)(b)(II)(B) requires a person27
1027
-13- authorized pursuant to title 12 to administer immunizations within his or1
her THE PERSON'S scope of practice to sign a certificate of nonmedical2
exemption. Notwithstanding any law or rule to the contrary, a body that3
regulates the professional conduct of a person who is authorized pursuant4
to title 12 to administer immunizations within his or her THE PERSON'S5
scope of practice to the student for whom the certificate is sought shall6
not order a disciplinary action against the person because the person7
authorized to sign the certificate signed such certificate pursuant to this8
subsection (2)(b)(II)(B). It is unlawful for the employer or any A9
professional organization to retaliate against a person because the person10
authorized to sign a certificate signed such certificate pursuant to this11
subsection (2)(b)(II)(B).12
(2.2) (a) (III) A person authorized pursuant to title 12 to13
administer immunizations within his or her THE PERSON'S scope of14
practice to the student for whom the certificate of nonmedical exemption15
is sought and who signs the certificate of nonmedical exemption form16
shall provide a copy of a completed certificate of nonmedical exemption17
to the student's parent or legal guardian, the emancipated student, or the18
student eighteen years of age or older.19
(b) (II) A person authorized pursuant to title 12 to administer20
immunizations within his or her THE PERSON'S scope of practice to the21
student for whom the certificate of nonmedical exemption is sought and22
who signs the certificate of nonmedical exemption shall submit the23
nonmedical exemption data to the immunization tracking system created24
in section 25-4-2403.25
(III) Notwithstanding subsections (2.2)(b)(I) and (2.2)(b)(II) of26
this section, a licensed physician, a physician assistant authorized27
1027
-14- pursuant to section 12-240-107 (6), an advanced practice registered nurse,1
or a person authorized pursuant to title 12 to administer immunizations2
within his or her THE PERSON'S scope of practice is not subject to a3
regulatory sanction for failing to submit medical exemption or4
nonmedical exemption data to the immunization tracking system.5
SECTION 14. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 25-4-904 as6
follows:7
25-4-904. Rules - immunization rules - rule-making authority8
of state board of health. (1) (a) The state board of health shall establish9
rules and regulations for administering this part 9. Such IN ORDER TO10
PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND THE11
EFFECTS OF SERIOUS DISEASES, THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH rules and12
regulations shall:13
(I) Establish which THE immunizations shall be THAT ARE required14
and the manner and frequency of their administration,
TAKING INTO
15
CONSIDERATION RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON16
IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES OF THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND17
PREVENTION IN THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN18
SERVICES AND, AS APPROPRIATE, RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AMERICAN19
A
CADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMILY
20
P
HYSICIANS, THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND
21
G
YNECOLOGISTS, AND THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; and shall
22
(II) Conform to recognized standard medical practices.23
(b) Such THE rules and regulations may also require the reporting24
of statistical information and names of noncompliers by the schools.25
(c) The department of public health and environment shall26
administer and enforce the immunization requirements.27
1027
-15- (2) All rule-making authority granted to the state board of health1
under this article 4 is granted on the condition that the general assembly2
reserves the power to delete or rescind any rule of the board. All rules3
promulgated ADOPTED pursuant to this subsection (2) SECTION are subject4
to section 24-4-103.5
SECTION 15. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 25-4-904.56
as follows:7
25-4-904.5. Annual alignment evaluation. The department of8
public health and environment shall annually evaluate the state's9
immunization practices, including an examination of updated best10
practices and guidelines recommended by the advisory committee on11
immunization practices of the centers for disease control and prevention12
in the federal department of health and human services
AND, AS
13
APPROPRIATE, BY THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, THE14
A
MERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS, THE AMERICAN COLLEGE
15
OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS, AND THE AMERICAN COLLEGE16
OF PHYSICIANS. The state board of health shall review the department of17
public health and environment's annual evaluation and may update the18
state's immunization practices pursuant to the department of public health19
and environment's annual evaluation.20
SECTION 16. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 25-4-905 as21
follows:22
25-4-905. Immunization of indigent children. (1) The county,23
district, or municipal public health agency; a public health or school nurse24
under the supervision of a licensed physician or physician assistant25
authorized under section 12-240-107 (6); or the department of public26
health and environment, in the absence of a county, district, or municipal27
1027
-16- public health agency or public health nurse, shall provide, at public1
expense to the extent that funds are FUNDING IS available, immunizations2
required by this part 9 to each child whose parents or guardians cannot3
afford to have the child immunized or, if emancipated, who cannot4
himself or herself THEMSELF afford immunization and who has not been5
exempted. The department of public health and environment shall provide6
all vaccines necessary to comply with this section as far as funds FUNDING7
will permit. Nothing in this section precludes the department of public8
health and environment from distributing vaccines to physicians,9
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS AUTHORIZED UNDER SECTION 12-240-107 (6),10
advanced practice registered nurses, or others as required by law or the11
rules of the department. No
AN indigent child shall NOT be excluded,12
suspended, or expelled from school unless the immunizations have been13
available and readily accessible to the child at public expense.14
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part 9 to the15
contrary, programs and services that provide immunizations to children16
for communicable diseases shall be
MADE available to a child regardless17
of his or her
THE CHILD'S race, religion, gender, ethnicity, national origin,18
or immigration status.19
SECTION 17. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-4-906, amend20
(1), (2), and (4) as follows:21
25-4-906. Certificate of immunization - forms. (1) The22
department of public health and environment shall provide official23
certificates of immunization to the schools, private physicians, and24
county, district, and municipal public health agencies. Upon the25
commencement of the gathering of epidemiological information pursuant26
to section 25-4-2403 to implement the immunization tracking system,27
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-17- such form shall include a notice that informs a parent or legal guardian1
that he or she THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN has the option to exclude2
his or her THEIR infant's, child's, or student's immunization information3
from the immunization tracking system created in section 25-4-2403. 4
A SCHOOL OFFICIAL MAY ACCEPT any immunization record provided by5
a licensed physician, registered nurse, or public health official may be6
accepted by the school official as certification AS PROOF of immunization7
if the information is transferred to the official certification of8
immunization. and verified by the school official.9
(2) (a) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (2)(a)(II) OF THIS10
SECTION, each school shall maintain on file an official certificate of11
immunization for every student enrolled IN THE SCHOOL.12
(II) IN LIEU OF AN OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION , A13
LICENSED CHILDREN'S RESIDENTIAL CAMP MAY MAINTAIN ON FILE AN14
OUT-OF-STATE IMMUNIZATION RECORD FOR AN OUT-OF-STATE CAMPER15
ATTENDING THE RESIDENTIAL CAMP .16
(b) (I) WHEN A STUDENT WITHDRAWS, TRANSFERS, IS PROMOTED,17
OR OTHERWISE LEAVES A SCHOOL , THE SCHOOL SHALL:18
(A) UPON REQUEST, RETURN the OFFICIAL certificate shall be19
returned OF IMMUNIZATION to the parent or guardian OF A STUDENT or, IF20
A STUDENT IS EMANCIPATED OR EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, TO the21
emancipated student; or student eighteen years of age or older when a22
student withdraws, transfers, is promoted, or otherwise leaves the school,23
or the school shall24
(B) Transfer the OFFICIAL certificate OF IMMUNIZATION with the25
student's school record to the new school. 26
(II) Upon a college or university student's request, the COLLEGE OR27
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-18- UNIVERSITY SHALL FORWARD THE official certificate of immunization1
shall be forwarded as specified by the student.2
(4) All students enrolled in any school in Colorado on and after3
August 15, 1979, shall furnish the required OFFICIAL certificate of4
immunization or shall be suspended or expelled from school. Students5
enrolling in school in Colorado for the first time on and after July 1, 1978,6
shall provide a AN OFFICIAL certificate of immunization or shall be7
excluded from school except as provided in section 25-4-903.8
SECTION 18. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-4-907, repeal (2)9
as follows:10
25-4-907. Noncompliance. (2) In the event of suspension or11
expulsion of a student, school officials shall notify the state department12
of public health and environment or the county, district, and municipal13
public health agency. An agent of said department shall then contact the14
parent or guardian or the emancipated student or student eighteen years15
of age or older in an effort to secure compliance with this part 9 in order16
that the student may be reenrolled in school.17
SECTION 19. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-3-603, amend18
(1) as follows:19
25-3-603. Department reports. (1) Notwithstanding section20
24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), on or before July 15, 2017 SEPTEMBER 15, 2025, and21
each July 15 SEPTEMBER 15 thereafter, the department shall submit to the22
health and human services committees of the house of representatives and23
of the senate,
OR THEIR SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES , a report summarizing24
the risk-adjusted health-facility data. The department shall post the report25
on its website.26
SECTION 20.
In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-4-2005, amend27
1027
-19- (1) as follows:1
25-4-2005. Hepatitis C testing - recommendations - definitions2
- rules - repeal. (1) (a) (I) The department recommends that each3
primary health-care provider or physician, physician assistant, or nurse4
practitioner who treats a patient in an inpatient or outpatient setting offer5
a person born between the years of 1945 and 1965 a hepatitis C screening6
test or hepatitis C diagnostic test unless the health-care provider providing7
such services reasonably believes that:8
(a) (A) The patient is being treated for a life-threatening9
emergency;10
(b) (B) The patient has previously been offered or has been the11
subject of a hepatitis C screening; or12
(c) (C) The patient lacks capacity to consent to a hepatitis C13
screening test.14
(II) T
HIS SUBSECTION (1)(a) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026.15
(b) (I) T
HE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH CREATED IN SECTION16
25-1-103
SHALL ADOPT RULES ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR HEPATITIS17
C
SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR USE BY PRIMARY HEALTH -CARE18
PROVIDERS, PHYSICIANS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS , OR NURSE19
PRACTITIONERS WHO TREAT PATIENTS IN AN INPATIENT OR OUTPATIENT20
SETTING. THE BOARD SHALL ENSURE THAT THE SCREENING AND21
DIAGNOSTIC TEST STANDARDS ALIGN WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE22
FEDERAL CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION FOR HEPATITIS23
C
SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING .24
(II) T
HE RULES ADOPTED BY THE BOARD PURSUANT TO THIS25
SUBSECTION (1)(b) SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON JULY 1, 2026.26
SECTION 21.
Safety clause. The general assembly finds,27
1027
-20- determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate1
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for2
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state3
institutions.4
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