1F12954A8B8257958725851A00788385 Hearing Summary

Representative Buckner, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1218 to the committee.  The bill continues the licensing of hearing aid providers by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) for 11 years, until September 1, 2031.  It also makes several changes to how hearing aid providers are regulated, including:

•        requiring final agency actions to be appealed directly to the Court of Appeals;

•        broadening the scope of title protection for licensed hearing aid providers;

•        requiring a hearing aid provider to obtain licensure before selling or negotiating to sell a hearing aid;

•        requiring an applicant for licensure or a licensee to post a surety bond;

•        adding failure to practice according to professional standards to the grounds for discipline;

•        adds disciplinary action in another jurisdiction for acts or omissions similar to those that are grounds for discipline in Colorado as grounds for discipline in Colorado; and

•        restoring deceptive trade practice provisions related to the sale of hearing aids.



The bill also combines the Hearing Aid Provider Practice Act with the Audiologist Practice Act.



Amendments L.001 was distributed to the committee (Attachment A).  

Representative Lontine proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.  

Thomas Adams, Colorado Hearing Society, testified in support of the bill.  Riley Williams, Hello Hearing Studios, testified in support of the bill. Brenda Garcia, Colorado Hearing Society, testified in support of the bill.  Randy Holyfield, Colorado Hearing Society, testified in support of the bill.

Amendment L.004 was distributed to the committee (Attachment B).

Representative Buckner gave closing remarks on the bill.  Committee members commented on the bill.