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Committee sends bill to floor requiring clinicians to identify credentials in ads and at first patient contact
Summary
The House Health & Human Services Committee approved Senate Bill 152, a transparency measure requiring clinicians to identify their license type in advertisements and at first patient contact, and advanced it with a 12‑1 vote.
The committee moved Senate Bill 152 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation after hearing doctors, emergency physicians and medical groups say patients are often confused about who is providing care.
Sponsors Representative Garcia Sander and Representative Ferre presented the bill as a transparency measure: clinicians should wear identification that makes license type immediately clear and should verbally introduce themselves and their professional role when establishing a new patient relationship. The bill would also require that health‑care advertising accurately reflect the license type of the person delivering care.
An amendment adopted in committee reduced the maximum penalty and created a progressive intervention ladder before any fine (education, written notice) and allowed nationally recognized supplemental descriptors to be used alongside statutory license names. The Colorado Medical Society, the American College of Emergency Physicians and specialty groups testified in favor, saying the policy helps patients make informed decisions and reduces confusion when multiple clinicians are involved in care.
Opposition and discussion: Some members asked whether the requirement was unnecessary in hospitals and clinics that already use badges and patient introductions. Sponsors and physician witnesses said practices vary across settings and that the law would create a consistent, minimal standard. The Division of Professions and Occupations testified in an amend position, noting the department expects a rise in complaint volume and an administrative cost that would be passed through to licensees via fee adjustments.
Vote: The committee advanced SB 152, as amended, on a 12‑1 vote; Representative Bradley cast the lone no vote.
Quote: “Patients deserve to know who's caring for them,” said Dr. Kim Warner, president of the Colorado Medical Society. “A simple name tag and quick introduction … can be meaningful.”
Next steps: The bill will go to the Committee of the Whole. Department of Regulatory Agencies staff asked for further stakeholder discussions about consistent titles and rule language to reduce administrative burden.
