H_HI_2021A 03/30/2021 11:53:16 AM Committee Summary

Representative Duran, bill co-sponsor, introduced SB21-102. The bill continues the authority for dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations (ITR) and apply silver diamine fluoride for four years, until September 1, 2025, which aligns the new repeal date with the sunset review of the Colorado Dental Board.  In addition, the bill makes the following changes: removes specifications regarding the number  of hours a  dental  hygienist  must practice before placing ITR; removes the timeline within which a distant dentist must communicate with a dental hygienist regarding a telehealth diagnosis; requires the Colorado Dental Board to develop a waiver process by which a dentist may supervise more than five dental hygienists; and allows broader use of telehealth technologies.

 

Public testimony submitted on SB21-102 can be found in Attachment A.

Representative Will, bill co-sponsor, continued introducing SB21-102.

Ms. Deborah Astroth, representing dental hygiensts, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Ethan Kerns, representing Colorado Dental Association, Colorado Community Health Network, testified in support of the bill.

The bill sponsors made closing comments on the bill.

Committee members made closing comments on the bill.

Representative Soper, bill co-sponsor, introduced SB21-092. The bill continues the regulation of surgical assistants and surgical technologists in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) for seven years, until September 1, 2028.  The bill also makes the following changes to the regulatory program:

• requires a surgical assistant or surgical technologist facing disciplinary action to wait two years before reapplying;
• permits DORA to issues letters of admonition and confidential letters of concern;
• expands the grounds for discipline; and
• permits DORA to enter into confidential agreements with surgical assistants or surgical technologists to limit practice based on an illness or other health condition that affects the ability to safely practice.

 

Public testimony submitted on behalf of SB21-092 can be found in Attachment B.

Committee members made comments on the bill.

Representative Soper made closing remarks on the bill.

Representative Lontine, bill sponsor, introduced SB21-093. The Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Advisory Committee is scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2021.  This bill continues the committee indefinitely.

The bill sponsor responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Williams, bill co-sponsor, introduced SB21-097. The bill continues the Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act for seven years, until September 1, 2028.  It is currently scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2021.

Representative Caraveo, bill co-sponsor, continued introducing SB21-097.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

The bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.