HB 15-1242 Summary

• Requires Colorado hospitals to give patients or legal guardians the opportunity to designate at least one caregiver within 24 hours of admission and before discharge or transfer.

• Hospitals must provide designated caregivers with medical information (with consent), contact information in discharge notifications, and a live demonstration of all aftercare tasks in a culturally competent manner.

• Hospitals must develop a discharge plan prior to patient release that describes aftercare needs, includes caregiver contact information, and lists relevant healthcare resources and long-term services.

• Designation is voluntary and does not obligate designated persons to perform aftercare duties; hospitals must document caregiver information and any refusal to designate in the patient's medical record.

• The law does not create private rights of action against hospitals, increase hospital liability, or interfere with health care directives; the Board of Health may promulgate compliance rules.