The 2010 legislative session for the Colorado state legislature began on January 13th. As the session proceeds please make sure to check back here for more information.

Senator Foster serves as Vice-Chair of Local Government and Energy and is a member of the following other committees: Business, Labor, and Technology; Joint Business Affairs & Labor; and Joint Local Government.

2010 Legislation:

• HB 10-1004 — Standardization of Health Insurance Information (Massey/Foster)
  Passed and signed by Governor Ritter on April 20th
  Quick Synopsis: Standardization of health insurance forms by establishing a standard format for the policy format and explanation of benefits provided by the health insurance carrier.
   
• HB 10-1005 — Home Health Care Through Telemedicine (Massey/Foster)
  Passed and Signed by the Governor on June 7th
  Quick Synopsis: Makes telemedicine eligible for reimbursement under the state’s medical assistance program.
   
• HB 10-1021 — Required Coverages for Reproductive Services for Health Insurance Policies (Frangas and McCann/Foster)
  Passed and signed by the Governor on May 26th
  Quick Synopsis: The bill requires entities issuing individual sickness and accident insurance policies in the state to provide the same coverage for maternity care that is currently ordered under group sickness and accident insurance policies to provide coverage for pregnancy management, including contraceptive counseling, drugs, and devices. The bill excluded abortion procedures and services for pregnancy termination.

  *I am thankful for the support of March of Dimes, NARAL and Planned Parenthood on this bill.*
   

• HB 10-1031 — Concerning the Administration of Dental Services Provided Under Medicaid (McCann/Foster & Schwartz)
  02/11/2010 Postponed Indefinitely by the House Committee on Health and Human Services
  Quick Synopsis: Bill requires the department of health care policy and financing to administer dental services under Medicaid.
   
• HB 10-1149 — The Regulation Prior to Disposal of Sources that Emit Radiation (Hullinghorst/Foster)
  Passed and Signed by the Governor on May 26th
  Quick Synopsis: Bill concerns regulation prior to the disposal of sources that emit radiation.
   
• HB 10-1414 — Report Identity Injectable Drug Diversion (Benefield/Foster)
  Passed and signed by the Governor on June 5th
  Quick Synopsis: Bill requires that a health care facility report information identifying any individual responsible for the diversion of injectable drugs that were intended for use by patients of the facility.

  *See reaction to the above legislation from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Executive Director Martha E. Rudolph here.*
   

• HB 10-1425 — DPS Post-Retirement Employment Limit (Miklosi/Foster)
  Passed and signed by the Governor on May 27th
  Quick Synopsis: The bill provides an exemption from the postretirement employment limit for a PERA retiree who was an hourly employee of DPS or a DPS charter school when the merger took effect, so long as the retiree continues to be employed by the same pre-merger employer. The bill requires such a retiree to make the working retiree contribution required by law and requires the DPS or DPS charter school to make the applicable employer contribution, amortization equalization disbursement, and supplemental amortization equalization disbursement.
   
• SB 10-053 — The Exemption of Weighted Votes from Voting Requirements Governing the Board of Directors of a Metropolitan Sewage Disposal District (Foster/Acree)
  Passed and signed by the Governor on March 10th
  Quick Synopsis: To provide more equal representation to the 1.6 million people who live in Metro’s service area, while maintaining the benefits of a smaller board of directors.
   
• SB 10-117 — Medicaid Coverage for Over-the-Counter Medications (Foster/Primavera)
  Passed and signed by the Governor on May 17th
  Quick Synopsis: Bill adds over-the-counter medication identified through drug utilization review process provided under Medicaid when the medications are prescribed by a licensed practitioner or a qualified licensed pharmacist.
   
• SB 10-142 — Local Sales Tax Appeal Time Limit (Foster/Gerou)
  Passed and signed by the Governor on March 29th
  Quick Synopsis: Current law required a local government to issue a deficiency notice to a taxpayer when sale or use taxes are due. This bill requires any protest to the deficiency notice to be filed with the local government within 30 days after the notice.
   
• SB 10-159 — Defendant’s Statements at a Community Corrections Hearing (Foster/Miklosi)
  Passed and sent to the Governor on May 20th
  Quick Synopsis: Bill reaffirms a victim’s right to make an oral statement and permits a board to allow an offender to submit a written statement to the board and to have a person give an oral statement on the offender’s behalf to the board concerning the transitional referral to community corrections.
   

2009 Legislation:

• HB-1181 — Victim Statement Community Corrections (McCann/Foster)
  Passed and Signed by Governor Ritter
  Quick Synopsis: This bill gives victims the right to testify against their perpetrator in probation hearings.
   
• HB-1202 — Mortuary Science Registration (Todd/Foster)
  Passed the House and recently passed out of Senate Business, Labor, and Technology as well as Appropriation Committees, scheduled for Senate floor on Thursday 4/30.
  Quick Synopsis: This bill requires mortuaries to register with the state; it will help provide better quality care for the deceased.
   
• HB-1240 — Colorado Teacher of The Year Program (Miklosi/Foster)
  Passed and awaiting signature of Governor Ritter
  Quick Synopsis: Provides funding for the teacher of the year through gifts, grants, and awards to travel the state sharing best practices with other teachers.
   
• HB-1273 — Health Care for Colorado (Kefalas/Foster)
  Postponed until after session: Essential died on 3rd reading in the House
  Quick Synopsis: This bill would have created an authority to investigate a universal healthcare plan for the state of Colorado.
   
• HB-1353 — Medical Benefits For Legal Immigrants
  Passed the House and coming to Senate
  Quick Synopsis: Subject to sufficient funds, this bill will provide medical care to pregnant legal immigrants prior to the 5-year waiting period following their date of entry.
   
• SB-27 — Protect Public Safety Control Coyotes (Foster/Miklosi)
  Postponed Indefinitely: Killed in Senate Agriculture Committee
  Quick Synopsis: This bill would have the Division of Wildlife prioritize the management of coyotes in urban areas.
   
• SB-70 — Clarify Workers’ Compensation Procedures (Foster/Acree)
  Passed the House and coming to Senate
  Quick Synopsis: This bill cleaned up legislation on workman’s compensation, specifically making sure that those receiving compensation continue to receive it after the age of 65.
   
• SR-09 — Support Israel and Peace Process (Foster)
  Passed 32-2 in the Senate
  Quick Synopsis: Official statement from the Colorado State Senate of its support for peace and the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.
   
• SJR-21 — Joint Resolution: Kidney Disease Awareness Month Day (Foster/McGihon)
  Passed in both Chambers
  Quick Synopsis: Official recognition by the Colorado State Legislature of the month of March being National Kidney month and March 14, 2009, as World Kidney Day.
   
• SJR-37 — Recognition CASA Program
  Passed in both Chambers
  Quick Synopsis: The Colorado General Assembly recognized the National CASA program and the Colorado CASA programs for their support of child victims of abuse and neglect.
   

Important Links:

• Colorado State Legislature Homepage (For listing of legislation, legislatures, and all other public information concerning the State legislature)
• Listen/Watch the Session (For a live feed of the Colorado State legislature and committee meetings)