Aguilar Bills–2012, 2011
Bills Carried by Senator Irene Aguilar, MD – 2012 Legislative Session
(For selected other bills not carried by Senator Aguilar, please click here.)
• SB12-020, the 911 Good Samaritan Law, would give immunity from certain criminal offenses for those who stay on the scene and make 911 calls in good faith on behalf of someone suffering from a drug or alcohol overdose. The bill would encourage more people to stay and call for help when they might otherwise fear being charged in conjunction with the drug or alcohol use. (Bipartisan bill with House sponsor Ken Summers; passed the Senate 25-10, February 14; passed House 62-1, March 12. Re-passed after Conference Committee, May 8th. Awaiting Governor Hickenlooper’s signature.)
• SB12-074, a bill concerning Guardianship and Care Giving for Adult Children with Disabilities, enables parents of disabled children eighteen and over to serve as caregivers for their child and to receive Medicaid support. Currently, parents who are guardians of their adult children with disabilities cannot serve as their home care provider or C.N.A. under the Consumer Directed Attendant Support program. (Passed both chambers, signed into law by Governor Hickenlooper.)
• SB12-134, the Hospital Payment Assistance Act will provide the uninsured with information about a hospital’s charity care policy. The bill will ensure that qualified individuals are charged the best negotiated private insurer rate. The bill asks hospitals to screen uninsured patients for Medicaid eligibility and provide assistance in setting up payment plans. (Passed Senate 28-6, passed House 45-20, signed by Governor Hickenlooper, May 7.)
• SB12-070, a Uniform Residential Landlord and Tennant’s Rights bill, will ensure tenants know who to contact if there are any issues with their apartment; will address landlords giving notice for visits, and will give tenants or landlords the ability to recoup legal fees when the other is at fault. (Passed Judiciary 4-3, pending second reading in Senate. Died on the calendar.)
• SB12-147, a bill concerning Voter Suppression will hold people accountable for distributing false information about election details, including giving the wrong eligibility criteria and giving the wrong dates and locations for polling places. (Passed the Senate, 19-16; House Judiciary Postponed Indefinitely.)
Key Senate Bills Co-Sponsored by Senator Aguilar
• SB12-037, Concerning the Ability to Dispense a Controlled Substance Based on an Electronically Transmitted Prescription Drug Order allows for electronic prescription orders for medications currently excluded from electronic prescriptions. (Signed by Governor March 22, 2012)
• SB12-090, a bill to Reinstate Medicaid payment for circumcision, addresses health concerns and restores services eliminated last year. (Primary sponsor: Senator Joyce Foster; passed Senate 21-14. Postponed indefinitely in House Appropriations.)
House Bills Co-Sponsored by Senator Aguilar
• HB12-1100, concerning Pregnancy and Evidence of Substance Abuse, would allow pregnant women to seek treatment for substance abuse issues and would make the results of any information related to substance use obtained as part of a screening or test performed for the purpose of determining pregnancy or providing prenatal care inadmissible in any criminal proceeding. (Signed by Governor March 9, 2012.)
• HB 12-1207, concerning the Repeal of the Advisory Committee for Covering All Children in Colorado, eliminated a committee whose services were no longer needed. (Signed by Governor March 24, 2012.)
• HB12-1217, concerning Inspections of Boilers and Pressure Vessels, would allow qualified boiler owners a choice to conduct their own inspections in life of a required state or insurance company inspection. The bill offers increased regulatory flexibility to qualified regulated facilities (signed by Governor March 22, 2012.)
• HB12-1226, concerning a Surcharge on Crimes Against At-Risk Adults, would create a ‘Crimes Against At-Risk Adults’ surcharge fund which would be used to provide respite services for caregivers of at-risk adults and at-risk juveniles. (Passed House 40-23 on March 12; passed Senate 21-14, May 2, 2012, awaiting governor’s signature.)
• HB12-1300, Professional Review Committee would ensure appropriate standards are met in determining how the competency of health care providers is assessed. (Bipartisan bill with House Sponsor Rep. Bob Gardner; passed the House 65-0. Passed Senate 31-4. Awaiting governor’s signature.)
• HB12-1049, concerning Parental Rights Regarding Statewide Education Assessment, allows students with disabilities to opt out of CSAP tests without their absence affecting school ratings that are in part based on CSAP scores. (House sponsor: Rep. Judy Solano; postponed indefinitely, House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs, February 9, 2012)
• HB12-1067, concerning Contribution Limits for School District and RTD Director Candidates, would limit campaign contributions in School Board and RTD Board races that are currently unregulated. The bill would bring these races in line with existing campaign limits for statewide offices. (House sponsor: Rep. Beth McCann; postponed indefinitely, House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs, January 26, 2012.)
• HB12-1230, concerning Studies of the Re-design of Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities. (Postponed Indefinitely House State, Veterans & Military Affairs, February 22, 2012.)
