Summary of SB25-192: Continuation and Regulation of Community Integrated Health-Care Service AgenciesPurpose of the Bill
Extends the regulatory functions of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) over Community Integrated Health-Care Service Agencies (CIHCSAs) from September 1, 2025, to September 1, 2034.
Updates definitions and regulatory requirements for these agencies.
Adjusts licensing, inspection, and record check procedures to ensure patient safety and compliance.
Key Provisions
1. Extension of Regulatory Oversight
Repeals the previous sunset date of September 1, 2025, and extends CDPHE’s authority over CIHCSAs to September 1, 2034.
Ensures that the legislative review process for these functions will occur before the new expiration date.
2. Updates to Definitions & Scope
Redefines "Community Integrated Health-Care Service" (CIHCS) to explicitly include:
Mobile Integrated Health Care
Care and services provided by non-paramedic practitioners (as determined by CDPHE rulemaking).
Clarifies that a "Community Integrated Health-Care Service Agency" includes:
Nonprofits, government entities, and licensed healthcare facilities managing CIHCS operations.
3. Licensing & Inspection Requirements
CDPHE must inspect CIHCSAs to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
Agencies must submit corrective action plans if violations are found.
Criminal background checks:
Requires owners, managers, and administrators to submit fingerprints for state and federal criminal record checks.
Prohibits licensing if individuals have felony or misdemeanor convictions that pose a risk to patient safety.
4. Provisional Licensing
Allows temporary "provisional" licenses if an agency cannot meet all licensing requirements but is actively working toward compliance.
Valid for 90 days and renewable once.
5. Disciplinary Actions
CDPHE may revoke or refuse renewal of a license if an owner, manager, or administrator has:
A felony or misdemeanor conviction that poses a risk to patient safety.
Engaged in activities that jeopardize client welfare.
6. Administrative Updates & Conforming Amendments
Modifies multiple sections of state law to ensure consistency with new definitions.
Updates references to "patients or clients" instead of "consumers" in statutes regulating CIHCSAs.
Adjusts membership requirements for the EMS System Sustainability Task Force to reflect changes in CIHCSA regulations.
Implementation & Effective Date
Takes effect 90 days after final adjournment of the General Assembly unless a referendum petition is filed.
If a referendum is filed, the law will only take effect if approved by voters in November 2026.
Impact of the Bill
Ensures continued regulation of CIHCSAs for an additional nine years. Expands healthcare service definitions to include mobile health services and non-paramedic providers. Strengthens licensing rules with stricter background checks and safety oversight. Provides flexibility for agencies working toward compliance through provisional licensing.
Summary
Sunset Process - Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Community integrated health-care services (services) are out-of-hospital medical services that may be provided by an emergency medical service provider who obtains a community paramedic endorsement. A community integrated health-care service agency (agency) is an entity or sole proprietorship that manages and offers services.
The bill implements the recommendations in the 2024 sunset
report by the department of regulatory agencies by:
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Continuing the regulation of agencies by 9 years to 2034;
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Adding clarification that a suspension of, a revocation of, or a refusal to renew an agency's license based on the fact that an owner, manager, or administrator of the agency was convicted of a disqualifying felony or misdemeanor includes circumstances in which the owner, manager, or administrator entered into a plea of guilty or nolo contendere for the felony or misdemeanor;
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Updating language to be gender neutral;
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Changing references from consumers to patients or clients;
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Referencing the definition of service in the statutes governing the regulation of agencies; and
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Defining service to include mobile integrated health care and, as determined by rule by the state board of health, care and services provided by practitioners other than community paramedics.
