HB1344 continues the Colorado Podiatry Board by moving its sunset repeal date from September 1, 2026 to September 1, 2035. In addition to extending the board’s existence, the bill implements a recommendation from the 2025 sunset review by adding a new requirement for every licensed podiatrist to develop a written plan for protecting patient medical records.
The required plan must address how records are stored and disposed of, what happens to records if the podiatrist dies, retires, or otherwise stops practicing, and how patients can promptly access or obtain their records in those circumstances. Podiatrists must attest to having such a plan when first licensed and at renewal, and they must also notify patients in writing about how to access records if the practitioner stops practicing. The board is authorized to adopt rules to carry out the new section, and failure to comply can result in discipline under existing podiatry disciplinary provisions.
Impact
The bill amends Colorado’s podiatry licensing statutes in Title 12 and the state’s sunset review statute in Title 24. It extends the Colorado Podiatry Board’s statutory life for nine years and adds a new compliance obligation for licensed podiatrists related to patient medical record security and continuity of access. The bill affects podiatrists, their patients, and the board’s regulatory authority, while also creating a basis for disciplinary action if a licensee does not maintain the required records plan or provide the required patient notice.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been generally favorable and noncontroversial in the legislature. It advanced with strong committee support in both chambers and passed third reading in the House and Senate by comfortable margins, with the Senate committee even recommending placement on the consent calendar. The voting pattern suggests broad agreement with both the board continuation and the patient-records safeguard requirement.
Contention
The main policy issue is not whether to continue the board, but whether the new record-security requirement is an appropriate regulatory burden and how it should be implemented. The bill’s text reflects a sunset-review recommendation, so the likely point of discussion is administrative compliance for podiatrists versus patient protection and continuity of access to medical records when a practitioner leaves practice, dies, or retires. No major opposition is evident from the available votes, though the House third reading vote shows some dissent.