SB 15-105 Summary

• Continues regulation of respiratory therapists by the Division of Professions and Occupations, extending the sunset date from July 1, 2015 to September 1, 2024.

• Allows the director to order licensees to undergo mental or physical examinations when there is reasonable cause to believe they cannot practice with reasonable skill and safety, with refusal constituting grounds for discipline.

• Establishes a confidential agreement process allowing respiratory therapists with physical or mental conditions to limit their practice rather than face immediate disciplinary action, subject to periodic reevaluation.

• Creates new grounds for discipline including failure to respond timely to complaints, failure to comply with examination limitations, and refusal to submit to ordered examinations.

• Permits the director to determine which national respiratory therapy credentialing bodies are acceptable for licensure, replacing specific reference to the National Board for Respiratory Care.