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Second Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB26-1018

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Feb 17, 2026       Location HCR 0112

HB26-1018 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations
01:08:21 PM  
The primary bill sponsors, Representatives Joseph and and Jackson, introduced House Bill 26-1018 to the House Health and Human Services Committee. By August 12, 2026, the bill requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to engage in a formal stakeholder process to evaluate data regarding individuals transitioning out of nursing facilities and into home- and community-based settings. Specifically, the process must: develop a step-by-step description of the current transition coordination process; identify statutory, regulatory, and contractual timelines applicable to each entity involved in the transition process; collect and analyze certain data regarding current transition services; identify system gaps, duplications, and barriers that contribute to delays or failed transitions; evaluate payment structures, accountability mechanisms, and information-sharing practices; and develop legislative recommendations to improve timelines, accountability, and outcomes.

A handout was provided to the committee (Attachment B).
01:16:56 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.
01:21:17 PM  
Joseph Dubroff, representing LeadingAge Colorado, testified to amend the bill.
01:22:57 PM  

Mr. Craig Towler, representing Center for People With Disabilities, testified in support of the bill. Emily Biniki, on behalf of Rochelle Mitchell, representing ACCIL, testified in support of the bill. Maria Stepanyan, representing ACCIL, testified in support of the bill. Kenny Maestas, representing The Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC), testified in support of the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment C).
01:32:29 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
01:36:46 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment D).
01:38:47 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment E).

01:39:43 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment E) to amendment L.001.
Moved Lieder
Seconded Feret
Barron Excused
Bradfield
DeGraaf
English Excused
Feret
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Smith
Stewart K.
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
01:39:44 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.003 (Attachment F).
01:40:19 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

01:42:17 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment F) to amendment L.001.
Moved Johnson
Seconded Hamrick
Barron Excused
Bradfield
DeGraaf
English Excused
Feret
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Smith
Stewart K.
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
01:42:56 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

01:44:47 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment D).
Moved Lieder
Seconded Feret
Barron Excused
Bradfield
DeGraaf
English Excused
Feret
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Smith
Stewart K.
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
01:44:48 PM  
The primary bill sponsors, Representatives Joseph and and Jackson, provided closing comments on the bill.
01:46:01 PM  
The committee provided closing comments on the bill.

01:50:21 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 26-1018, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Lieder
Seconded Feret
Barron Yes
Bradfield Yes
DeGraaf No
English Yes
Feret Yes
Hamrick Yes
Johnson Yes
McCormick Yes
Smith Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Woog Yes
Lieder Yes
Gilchrist Yes
Final YES: 12   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS