CO SB216

Establishes Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind authority to coordinate and finance auxiliary services in rural areas of the state.

Commission shall perform functions including statewide scheduling, intake processing, provider payment administration, issue resolution, training programs, scholarship awards, and outreach to rural users and providers.

Commission must submit annual reports to the Joint Budget Committee on November 1 starting in 2022 detailing program implementation over the previous twelve months.

Removes requirement that not-for-profit entities must be community-based organizations to be eligible for grant money from the Commission.

Adds funding source for rural auxiliary services through telecommunications relay services surcharge mechanism, allowing monthly surcharge to support auxiliary services in rural areas.