SB 24-121

Senate Bill 24-121 changes how critical access hospitals are licensed in Colorado. Instead of being licensed like general hospitals, these smaller rural hospitals will get their own special licenses starting July 1, 2026. The bill also requires the state to create rules for this new licensing process and allocates funding to support its implementation. This affects all critical access hospitals in the state, ensuring they meet specific criteria tailored to their unique needs. The bill has been signed into law and parts of it will start taking effect on August 7, 2024, with full implementation by July 1, 2026.

Official Summary

Currently, critical access hospitals must be licensed as general hospitals under state law. The act: Authorizes the department of public health and environment (department) to license critical access hospitals separately from general hospitals; On and after July 1, 2026, prohibits a person from operating a critical access hospital without a critical access hospital license; and Requires the state board of health to promulgate rules concerning the licensure of critical access hospitals. The act appropriates $45,722 from the general fund to the department for administration and operations management. From that appropriation, $12,285 is reappropriated to the office of the governor for use by the office of information technology to provide services to the department. APPROVED by Governor June 6, 2024 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE July 1, 2026(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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