CO SB156

Creates a pilot grant program for public safety answering points (911 dispatch centers) to implement nurse intake systems that divert non-emergency 911 calls to alternative medical care instead of emergency departments.

Designates four public safety answering points to participate: one in a county with 60,000+ residents and three in county/counties with fewer than 60,000 residents.

Requires participating centers to obtain direction from local medical directors and fire chiefs, and seek input from community stakeholders including police, employee organizations, and health providers before implementing programs.

Mandates reporting by September 1, 2023 on call volumes, patient satisfaction scores, clinical outcomes, and annual cost savings to the state's healthcare system.

Appropriates $865,583 to the Department of Public Safety for the 2021-22 fiscal year (with carryover to 2022-23 if unspent) and automatically repeals the program effective July 1, 2024.