CO HB1435

Creates the Employment-Related Public Benefits Enterprise as a government-owned business within the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to improve health outcomes for low-wage workers and their families.

Establishes a 7-member board appointed by the governor, consisting of 2 employer representatives, 2 labor representatives, 1 low-wage employee receiving state health assistance, and 2 nonprofit organization representatives.

Imposes an employment-related public benefits fee on covered employers with 250+ employees, calculated per low-wage employee hour worked, ranging from 25 cents to $1 per hour, effective January 1, 2018.

Allows covered employers to credit health care expenditures made on behalf of low-wage employees against the fee and prohibits employers from discharging low-wage employees within 90 days to avoid fee liability.

Creates the Employment-Related Public Benefits Fee Fund to support and improve health care services for Colorado Medical Assistance Act eligible individuals, with concurrent enforcement authority granted to the Attorney General and district attorneys.