Colorado Legislative Council Staff

REVISED FISCAL NOTE

(Replaces Fiscal Note dated February 2, 1998)

State General Expenditure Impact


Drafting Number:

Prime Sponsor(s):

LLS 98-019

Rep. Hagedorn

Sen. Chlouber

Date:

Bill Status:

Fiscal Analyst:

April 3, 1998

House Appropriations

Will Meyer (866-4976)

 

TITLE:            CONCERNING THE MAINTAINING OF THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF PATIENT MEDICAL RECORDS AND INFORMATION.



Summary of Legislation


            The provisions of this bill, as amended in the House HEWI Committee, would create a task force to inquire into whether or not the methods currently used to protect the confidentiality of medical records in Colorado are sufficient. The bill would authorize the Directors of the Departments of Health Care Policy and Public Health and Environment and the Commissioner of Insurance, Department of Regulatory Agencies, to jointly appoint a task force to study the issues of achieving and maintaining the confidentiality of medical records and to report its findings and recommendations for legislation, if any, to the Health, Environment, Welfare, and Institutions Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the General Assembly no later than November 30, 1998. The task force would consist of fifteen members who would serve without compensation. The bill would authorize the task force to accept gifts, grants, and donations for any source for the purpose of carrying out its charge. The bill also would provide that the provisions of the bill be implemented within existing appropriations. The bill would become effective upon signature of the Governor.


STATE FISCAL IMPACT SUMMARY

FY 1998/99

FY 1999/2000

State Revenues

General Fund

Other Fund



 

State Expenditures

General Fund

Other Fund


Minimal Expenditures


 

FTE Position Change

None

None

Local Government Impact — None.


             Note: This bill requires its implementation within existing appropriations.


            While the bill does not designate any of the three agencies identified in the bill to be the lead agency for the task force, it is assumed for purposes of this fiscal note that the Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE) would take the lead role and provide support staff for the task force.


            The bill would authorize the task force to accept grants gifts and donations from any source for the purpose of carrying out its charge and requires the task force to report to the General Assembly the disposition of any such funds. However, the bill does not provide for a mechanism for the state to collect the moneys.



State Expenditures


            The provisions of the bill would set forth the guidelines for the release of medical records and information. These provisions would have an insignificant impact on the relevant licensing boards in the Division of Registrations and the Division of Insurance.


            The Department of Public Health and Environment has indicated that staff members in the Health Facilities Division are currently developing necessary expertise in the area of confidentiality of medical records. The department would solicit voluntary expertise to complement their involvement. It is estimated that the provisions of this bill would have an insignificant impact to them and that they would not require any additional resources to take the lead role and provide support staff for the task force.



Spending Authority


            This fiscal note implies that the Department of Public Health and Environment would not require any additional appropriation in FY 1998/99 to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill provides that the provisions of the bill be implemented within existing appropriations.



Departments Contacted


            Health Care Policy and Financing      Public Health and Environment Regulatory Agencies