Section 18-3-407.9 - Forensic nurse examiners - telehealth program - creation - appropriation(1) There is created in the division of criminal justice in the department of public safety the forensic nurse examiners telehealth program, referred to in this section as the "program". Telehealth is an important way to offer medical support, especially in the rural parts of Colorado, from experienced forensic nurse examiners, sexual assault nurse examiners, and other health-care providers. Forensic nurse examiners can collaborate during a forensic medical examination with emergency department nurses and doctors at remote sites in real time regardless of location in the state. This helps increase the access to competent forensic examinations and care for victims of crime.(2) The general assembly shall appropriate money from the economic recovery and relief cash fund, created in section 24-75-228, as enacted by Senate Bill 21-291, enacted in 2021, to the division of criminal justice in the department of public safety to be used for the programs and purposes described in this section that also conform with the allowable purposes set forth in the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021", Pub.L. 117-2, as the act may be subsequently amended. The division of criminal justice in the department of public safety may use up to five percent of any money appropriated by the general assembly pursuant to this subsection (2) for development and administrative costs incurred pursuant to this subsection (2).Added by 2021 Ch. 291, § 3, eff. 6/22/2021.L. 2021: Entire section added, (SB 21-292), ch. 1721, p. 1721, § 3, effective June 22.Section 10 of chapter 291 (SB 21-292), Session Laws of Colorado 2021, provides that the act adding this section takes effect only if SB 21-288 and SB 21-291 become law and takes effect either upon the effective date of SB 21-292 or one day after the passage of SB 21-288 or one day after the passage of SB 21-291, whichever is latest. SB 21-292 became law and took effect June 22, 2021, SB 21-288 became law and took effect June 11, 2021, and SB 21-291 became law and took effect June 21, 2021.
For the legislative declaration in SB 21-292, see section 1 of chapter 291, Session Laws of Colorado 2021.