HB 1244: Department of Public Health and Environment Nursing Home Penalty Fund

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Current law requires the department of public health and environment (CDPHE) to consider certain criteria as a basis for distributing grants from the nursing home penalty cash fund (fund). The act strikes these criteria and instead requires CDPHE to distribute such grants in accordance with priorities and allowable uses identified by the centers for medicare and medicaid services within the federal department of health and human services (centers).     Current law requires the nursing home innovations grant board (board) to make recommendations for the approval of grants from the fund. The act requires such recommendations to be consistent with the processes for grant cycles of, and priorities and allowable uses identified by, the centers.     Current law requires CDPHE and the department of health care policy and financing, with the board's assistance, to jointly submit an annual report to the governor and certain legislative committees of reference regarding the expenditure of money in the fund. The act changes the due date of the report from October 1 to January 1.     In current law, the term 'benefit residents of nursing facilities' is defined to mean that a grant has a direct impact on the residents of nursing facilities or has an indirect impact on the residents through education of nursing facility staff. The act amends this definition to include training, as well as education, of nursing facility staff.     Current law states that a governmental entity may not apply for or receive a grant from the fund unless the entity is a facility that is owned or operated by a governmental agency and licensed as a nursing care facility. The act removes this restriction.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7 · Republican 3

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 6, 2026Governor Signed
2. April 28, 2026Signed by the Speaker of the House
3. April 28, 2026Signed by the President of the Senate
4. April 28, 2026Sent to the Governor
5. April 9, 2026Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
6. April 8, 2026Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments
7. April 2, 2026Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
8. March 18, 2026Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services
9. March 13, 2026House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
10. March 12, 2026House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
11. March 10, 2026House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
12. February 18, 2026Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services