SB13-261 Summary

• Repeals Colorado Revised Statute 25-21-107, eliminating the requirement that the Department of Public Health and Environment designate a dental association to receive and process complaints regarding dentists for the Dental Assistance Program for Seniors.

• Renames and restructures the "Colorado Dental Program Act" to the "Colorado Oral Health Community Grants Program Act" to expand focus beyond seniors to school-based oral health services.

• Creates a grants program administered by the Department of Public Health and Environment to fund school-based dental sealant programs and water fluoridation initiatives targeting low-income children and communities.

• Establishes two primary grant categories: oral health services for children eligible for free/reduced-price lunches or attending schools in low-income districts, and fluoridation support services including equipment installation, operator training, and water quality monitoring.

• Repeals definitions and statutory sections related to eligible children and previous program requirements, replacing them with broader community health objectives supported by findings on dental decay rates and fluoridation effectiveness.