HB 22-1221

House Bill 22-1221, which has been signed into law in Colorado, establishes a mental health and wellness program for county coroners, their staff, volunteers involved with funeral services, and mortuary professionals. The program will be funded by $100,000 from the state's general fund and managed by the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). Funeral homes are required to cover the costs of these mental health services if a worker requests them and their insurance doesn't pay for it. This law aims to support the emotional well-being of individuals who deal with death on a regular basis, providing necessary resources to help them cope with stress and trauma. The program will be active until September 1, 2029.

Official Summary

On or before January 31, 2023, the act requires the behavioral health administration (BHA) to administer the county coroner and mortuary mental health and wellness program (program). The program provides mental health and wellness services to county coroners, county coroner's staff, persons working for volunteer groups, funeral directors, and mortuary science practitioners. The act requires each funeral home that employs a funeral director or mortuary science practitioner to pay for the actual costs of providing the mental health and wellness services if a funeral director or mortuary science practitioner requests to participate in the program and the funeral director's or mortuary science practitioner's health insurance coverage does not cover the costs of providing such services. On or before April 1, 2023, the act requires the BHA to provide information about the program to those eligible for the program. The program repeals on September 1, 2029. The act appropriates $100,000 from the general fund to the BHA for the program. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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