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ColoradoHB26-12382026 Regular SessionHouse

Designating Emergency Medical Services Essential Services

Sponsored By: Dusty Johnson (Republican), Mark Baisley (Republican), Meghan Lukens (Democratic), William Lindstedt (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health Care & Health Insurance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Off-duty emergency medical workers can decline

The law places no duty on off-duty emergency medical providers to respond to emergency scenes or provide emergency medical services. It takes effect at 12:01 a.m. the day after the 90-day period following final adjournment. That means August 12, 2026, if lawmakers adjourn on May 13, 2026. A referendum petition delays the challenged provisions until voters approve them at the November 2026 election. If approved, they take effect when the governor officially declares the vote.

Emergency medical providers gain essential status

Colorado recognizes emergency medical providers as providing essential services when on duty or responding as volunteers, regardless of location. This includes emergency and nonemergency ambulance providers. The law takes effect at 12:01 a.m. the day after the 90-day period following final adjournment. That means August 12, 2026, if lawmakers adjourn on May 13, 2026. A referendum petition delays the challenged provisions until voters approve them at the November 2026 election. If approved, they take effect when the governor officially declares the vote.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Dusty Johnson

    Republican • House

  • Mark Baisley

    Republican • Senate

  • Meghan Lukens

    Democratic • House

  • William Lindstedt

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Ava Flanell

    Republican • House

  • Amy Paschal

    Democratic • House

  • Bob Marshall

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Titone

    Democratic • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Gretchen Rydin

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Jarvis Caldwell

    Republican • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Javier Mabrey

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Karen McCormick

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Lorena Garcia

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Meg Froelich

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Ryan Gonzalez

    Republican • House

  • Rebecca Keltie

    Republican • House

  • Ron Weinberg

    Republican • House

  • Tammy Story

    Democratic • House

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • John Carson

    Republican • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lindsey Daugherty

    Democratic • Senate

  • Larry Liston

    Republican • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 117 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/1/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1238 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 63 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1238, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/5/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    4/28/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/28/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    4/28/2026House

  5. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/7/2026Senate

  6. Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/6/2026Senate

  7. Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 04/02/2026 - No Amendments

    4/6/2026Senate

  8. Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/1/2026Senate

  9. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services

    3/17/2026Senate

  10. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/12/2026House

  11. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    3/11/2026House

  12. House Third Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor

    3/11/2026House

  13. House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    3/6/2026House

  14. House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    3/3/2026House

  15. Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services

    2/18/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Health & Human Services Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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