Minimum wage increase, new Colorado laws set to take effect Jan. 1
Among the 11 Colorado laws set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2018 are a pay bump for those earning less than $10.20 an hour, new restrictions on the amount of marijuana plants you can grow, criminal outlines for juveniles who are caught sexting, and a requirement that makes health care costs more transparent.
The state’s plan to increase minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020 continues as the rate climbs to $10.20 on Jan. 1. Minimum wage for tipped employees will also rise to $7.18 an hour on Jan. 1. A study by the University of Denver says 20 percent of all households in Colorado will see a pay increase under the 2020 plan.
Starting in the new year, people in residential areas will be limited to growing 12 marijuana plants unless local laws provide an exemption. El Paso County residents are limited to six plants per house for recreational use and 12 per house for medical use. Patients with a medical exemption for 24 plants must still get permission from city and county governments to grow that many plants in a residential area.
Colorado is also setting new criminal guidelines for sexting among juveniles. House Bill 17-1302 specifies charge requirements for teens accused of distributing or possessing illicit materials depicting minors.
The Colorado legislature also addressed transparency in health care by requiring care providers to disclose prices to the public for direct purchases of services. Senate Bill 17-065 also prohibits insurers, government agencies, or other entities from penalizing a health care recipient, provider, facility, employer, or other person or entity who pays directly for health care services.
Here’s a full list of the laws taking effect on Jan. 1, 2018:
House Bills
HB17-1220: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb17-1220 Medical marijuana patients can have 12 plants, residential areas limited to 12 for recreational
HB17-1231: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb17-1231 Restructures powers for market examinations of insurance companies
HB17-1277: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb17-1277 Drivers who leave scene of serious accident can contest suspension of driver’s license
HB17-1302: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb17-1302 Creates criminal charges for juvenile sexting and specifies severity for different situations
HB17-1338: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb17-1338 Municipal courts need to be made aware of persons detained on municipal holds within four hours. The bill also sets other requirements for handling municipal holds
HB16-1387: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb16-1387 Most health benefits plans must provide coverage for severe protein allergic conditions
Senate Bills
SB17-065: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb17-065 Health care prices for direct purchase must be made available to the public
SB17-088: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb17-088 Health insurers must develop standards for selecting health care providers for its network and tiering providers within a tiered network.
SB17-216: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb17-216 Continues the Fair Debt Collections Act through 2028.
SB17-243: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb17-243 Continues motorcycle operator safety training program, transfers operation to chief of the state patrol.
SB16-016: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb16-016 Modifying the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District
