NOTE: The governor signed this measure on 6/6/2014. HOUSE BILL 14-1343 BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Singer and Wright, Exum, Foote, Garcia, Melton, Salazar, Buckner, Fields, Fischer, Ginal, Hullinghorst, Kagan, Lebsock, Lee, May, McCann, Pettersen, Primavera, Rosenthal, Ryden, Schafer, Tyler, Vigil, Williams, Young, Becker, Court, Mitsch Bush; also SENATOR(S) Tochtrop, Aguilar, Guzman, Heath, Herpin, Johnston, Kerr, King, Newell, Rivera, Schwartz, Todd, Ulibarri, Zenzinger, Carroll. Concerning workers' compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder for peace officers. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 29-5-113 as follows: 29-5-113. Peace officers - post-traumatic stress disorder task force - creation - report - repeal. (1) There is hereby created the peace officer post-traumatic stress disorder task force, referred to in this section as the task force. The task force shall research work-related peace officer post-traumatic stress disorder and other relevant topics as determined by the task force and report findings and make recommendations that include the best policies and practices for public employers of peace officers in Colorado concerning identification, prevention, treatment, covered workers' compensation claims, standardized preemployment psychological screenings, and education of both management and employees on this mental health illness. (2) The task force members are appointed as follows; (a) The executive director of each of the following departments shall appoint members as follows: (I) One representative from the division of workers' compensation in the department of labor and employment; (II) Two representatives from the department of public safety; (III) One representative from the department of corrections; (IV) Two representatives from the department of personnel and administration; and (V) One representative from the department of human services. (b) The president of the board of the county sheriffs of Colorado shall appoint two representatives of the county sheriffs. (c) The executive director of the board of the Colorado association of chiefs of police shall appoint two representatives of the association. (d) The president of the Colorado fraternal order of police shall appoint two representatives of the organization. (e) The president of the association of Colorado state patrol professionals shall appoint one member from its organization. (f) The executive director of the Colorado municipal league shall appoint one representative of the municipal league. (g) The executive director of Colorado counties, incorporated shall appoint one representative of Colorado counties, incorporated. (h) The executive director of the Colorado bar association shall appoint one attorney with expertise and experience in workers' compensation and employment law. (i) The president of the Colorado psychiatric society shall appoint a psychiatrist who is a member of the society and whose primary area of practice includes post-traumatic stress disorder. (j) The president of the Colorado psychological association shall appoint one police psychologist licensed pursuant to part 3 of article 43 of title 12, C.R.S., whose primary area of practice includes the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. (k) The president of the Colorado police protective association shall appoint one representative of the association. (3) The governor shall appoint a task force member who is a representative of an executive department to serve as a co-chair of the task force, and the task force member appointed by the president of the fraternal order of police shall serve as a co-chair of the task force. (4) (a) The task force shall meet no later than July 1, 2014, and at least four times thereafter as necessary to complete its duties. The meetings may be held in locations offered by the entities represented on the task force. (b) The co-chairs may assign study groups within the task force to assist the task force in its duties. (c) The meetings of the task force are open to the public. The task force shall give full and timely notice to the public by posting a notice of the date and time of the meeting in a designated public place prior to holding the meeting. The notice must include specific agenda information where possible. The task force may accept reports and public testimony and may request outside entities to provide testimony, written comments, and other relevant data to the task force. (d) On or before January 15, 2015, the task force shall submit a written report with its findings to the public health care and human services committee of the house of representatives and the health and human services committee of the senate. A member of the task force may submit a dissenting opinion to the committees with the task force report. (e) Legislative council and the office of legislative legal services shall not provide staff for the task force. (5) This section is repealed, effective December 31, 2015. SECTION 2. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety. ________________________________________________________ Mark Ferrandino Morgan Carroll SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDENT OF OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE ____________________________ ____________________________ Marilyn Eddins Cindi L. Markwell CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE SECRETARY OF OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE APPROVED________________________________________ _________________________________________ John W. Hickenlooper GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO