DENVER—Summary of bills signed Thursday by Gov. Bill Ritter:
— Allow qualified relatives to be designated as health care providers for people with developmental disabilities and be compensated by the state. (SB 2)
— Creates the an employment program for people with developmental disabilities to identify job opportunities. (SB 4)
— Codifies the state Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities in the governor’s office. Former Gov. Roy Romer created the council in 1994 by executive order. (SB 165)
— Creates a set-aside program allowing nonprofit agencies that employ people with severe disabilities to bid on certain types of state services. (HB 1047)
— Begin creating a state program to allow disabled people to work and maintain their Medicaid benefits. (HB 1072)
— Create a pilot program establishing an income tax credit for taxpayers who hire individuals with developmental disabilities. (HB 1127)
— Create a “navigator” position to help people with developmental disabilities on waiting lists for state services. (HB 1031)
— Create the Developmental Disabilities Services Cash Fund with the goal of eliminating the state’s developmental disability services waiting lists by 2013. (HB 1101)
— Create a registry of caregivers who have substantiated allegations of exploitation, mistreatment, neglect or physical or sexual abuse of a person with developmental disabilities. (HB 1246)
— Require all Colorado auto insurance policies include $5,000 of medical payment coverage, with an opt-out provision for drivers who already have medical insurance. (SB 11)
— Extend through 2020 the tax credit for costs incurred in the preservation of historic properties. (HB 1033)
— Extend the tax credit for donating money to promote child care in Colorado for 10 years. (HB1049)
— Direct the governor to join with other states to help military children adjust to new schools when their parents are reassigned. (HB 1317)
— Create a program to expedite the federal visas for eligible farmworkers to come to Colorado from other countries. (HB 1325)
— Tighten Colorado’s conservation easement program to prevent abuses. (HB 1353)
