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Committee advances bill to extend testing‑accommodation protections to private testing entities (HB 14‑17)
Summary
Senators advanced HB 14‑17 to the committee of the whole; the bill would align Colorado law with the federal Title 42 definition of covered 'testing entities' so private companies administering licensure exams cannot evade state accommodation requirements, restoring state‑court remedies for denied accommodations.
Senator Rich introduced House Bill 14‑17 to strengthen access to licensing and certification exams for people with disabilities by clarifying that the definition of "testing entity" includes private organizations that administer exams tied to Colorado credentials. The sponsor framed the measure as closing a gap created by a recent court ruling.
Jack Johnson, an attorney with Disability Law Colorado, described the court decision that exempted some private testing entities — for example, the National Board of Medical Examiners — from state accommodation law and explained how that left aspiring professionals without state‑court remedies. He and a witness with a disability urged the committee to approve HB 14‑17, which would align Colorado's standard with the federal definition in Title 42 and restore the ability to seek injunctive relief in state court.
Committee members asked whether the change would cover out‑of‑state entities administering tests to Coloradans; witnesses and counsel said aligning to the federal definition would allow state courts to provide remedies for affected test takers. Senator Rich moved the bill to the committee of the whole with a favorable recommendation and the committee recorded a unanimous voice vote, placing HB 14‑17 on the consent calendar.
