Nurse Death Certification Discipline Requirements
Summary
Colorado House Bill 26-1296 has passed both chambers, adding grounds for discipline against advanced practice registered nurses who fail to timely complete medical certifications for death certificates. The bill revises the Nurse and Nurse Aide Practice Act and moves to the Governor for signature.
What changed
Colorado HB26-1296 adds a new disciplinary ground for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) under the Nurse and Nurse Aide Practice Act. The bill specifically addresses failure to timely complete medical certifications for certificates of death. The legislation passed the House unanimously (62-0) on March 9, 2026, and passed the Senate unanimously on April 6, 2026.
Healthcare providers and nursing employers should prepare for implementation once the bill is signed into law. APRNs must ensure compliance with death certification timelines. The bill creates new accountability standards for medical certification completion in Colorado.
What to do next
- Monitor for Governor's signature and effective date
- Update APRN compliance procedures for death certification timelines
- Review disciplinary provisions under updated Nurse Practice Act
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Colorado / HB1296 Passed HB1296 House Bill Passed 2026-03-12
Revision to Nurse & Nurse Aide Practice Act
Concerning discipline for advanced practice registered nurses for a failure to timely complete a medical certification for a certificate of death.
Bill Details
State Colorado
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber House
Official Source leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1296
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Sponsors
Brandi Bradley (Rep - R) Michael Carter (Rep - D) Matt Ball (Sen - D) Janice Rich (Sen - R) Cecelia Espenoza (Rep - D) Jarvis Caldwell (Rep - R) Monica Duran (Rep - D) Ava Flanell (Rep - R) Ryan Gonzalez (Rep - R) Rebecca Keltie (Rep - R) Ty Winter (Rep - R)
Action History
2026-04-06 S Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments 2026-03-31 S Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole 2026-03-12 S Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs 2026-03-09 H House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments 2026-03-06 H House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments 2026-03-05 H House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole 2026-02-25 H Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs
Votes
2026-03-05 House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs: Refer House Bill 26-1296 to the Committee of the Whole. Yea: 11 Nay: 0 2026-03-09 House: Third Reading Bill Yea: 62 Nay: 0 2026-03-31 Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs: Refer House Bill 26-1296 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. Yea: 5 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-02-25 H State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs 2026-03-12 S State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
Bill Text Versions
1969-12-31 Introduced 1969-12-31 Engrossed 1969-12-31 Engrossed 1969-12-31 Amended
Subjects
Health Care & Health Insurance Professions & Occupations Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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