Colorado Commission Policies Postgraduate Student Exchange Program

Joint Budget Committee. If the Colorado commission on higher education (commission) enters into a professional student exchange program through the western interstate commission on higher education (WICHE), then, subject to available appropriations, the commission shall establish policies to maximize the benefit of the exchange program to Colorado residents. The policies may include, but need not be limited to:

• Policies for Colorado residents seeking postsecondary optometry degrees at institutions in other states in which, beginning in the 2024-25 academic year, the commission shall ensure that any student who enters the postsecondary optometry program, as a part of the student's post-educational service commitment, shall agree to provide services to Coloradans enrolled in programs established pursuant to the "Colorado Medical Assistance Act"; and
• Policies that promote the provision of services in underserved areas. Such policies may include reducing the service requirement for an individual to meet the individual's post-educational service requirement by serving in areas that have insufficient access to optometry services.

The bill aligns Colorado law with the current operation of WICHE professional student exchange programs.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)