SB 17-082

Senate Bill 17-082, which has been signed into law, requires methadone treatment facilities in Colorado to undergo a more rigorous licensing process. This includes submitting to fingerprint-based background checks and providing information about any past regulatory actions taken against them in other states. The bill also mandates that the Department of Human Services publish details about each licensed facility on a public website for transparency. These requirements will be reviewed and then repealed by September 1, 2019, when certain provisions are set to expire. This law affects methadone treatment facilities and aims to enhance patient safety and oversight in addiction treatment programs.

Official Summary

The department of human services licenses addiction programs that compound, administer, or dispense a controlled substance. The bill adds a fingerprint-based criminal background check for license applicants. Applicants must also submit to the department information on programs operated in other states and any regulatory action taken by another state against the applicant. The department must facilitate posting on a public website licensee locations, hours, and contact information. The department must report in writing to the general assembly by January 1, 2019, the program name, location, license type, license status, license expiration date, and contact information of all licensees. These requirements are repealed on September 1, 2019, to coincide with the scheduled sunset of the act. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Votes