ColoradoPodiatrists must plan for patient records and record access
Starting August 12, 2026, podiatrists must plan how to protect patient records and tell patients how to get them if care ends, unless voters first reject the act.
What it does
Each licensed podiatrist must develop a written plan to protect patient records. It must cover storage, disposal when appropriate, and what happens to records if the podiatrist stops providing care.
Podiatrists must give each patient written instructions for getting their records if the podiatrist dies, retires, or otherwise stops practicing or providing care. Failure to comply is subject to discipline.
The law schedules the Colorado Podiatry Board for repeal on September 1, 2035.
Argument forPatients may be able to get their records more promptly if a podiatrist dies, retires, or stops practicing or providing care.
Argument againstPodiatrists could face extra paperwork to prepare a plan, attest to it at licensing and renewal, and explain record access to each patient.
More detail
Each licensed podiatrist must develop a written plan to protect patient medical records. This applies to every licensed podiatrist. The plan must cover record storage, proper disposal when appropriate, what happens to records if the podiatrist dies, retires, or stops practicing or providing care, and how patients can promptly get their records in those cases. At initial licensure and license renewal, the podiatrist must attest to the board that the plan complies with the law. The act takes effect August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition is filed. If a petition is filed, the act takes effect only if voters approve it, on the governor’s official declaration of the vote.
Each podiatrist must tell every patient in writing how to access or get their records if the podiatrist stops practicing or providing care. This applies to each licensed podiatrist and each patient. The board may adopt rules to implement this requirement. The requirement takes effect August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition is filed. If a petition is filed, it takes effect only if voters approve it, on the governor’s official declaration of the vote.
The Colorado Podiatry Board is scheduled for repeal on September 1, 2035. This schedule concerns the Colorado Podiatry Board. The scheduled repeal date is September 1, 2035.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- May 28Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- May 28Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- May 28Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 6Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1344 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
- Apr 29Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1344 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 23Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human ServicesMinor
- Apr 22House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1344 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
- Apr 7House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1344 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 30Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human ServicesIntroduced
Healthcare