ICYMI: Senate Passes Jaquez Lewis Bill to Boost Colorado’s Emergency Stockpile of Personal Protective Equipment

HB22-1352 will better prepare state health care workers for future health emergencies

DENVER, CO –  Yesterday, the Senate passed a bill sponsored by Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County, that would require the State of Colorado to maintain a stockpile of essential materials, including personal protective equipment (PPE).

HB22-1352 aims to help the State of Colorado prepare for future emergencies by maintaining a stockpile of essential materials and PPE to be available for distribution after the governor has declared a disaster emergency.

“The last few years have been challenging, but we’ve learned a lot and we’re in a much better position than we were two years ago,” Jaquez Lewis said. “It’s now time to apply those lessons as we begin to live alongside this disease and balance returning to normal with keeping ourselves, our families, and our communities safe. This legislation will boost our emergency stockpile of PPE so that our health care providers have the critical tools and resources they need, and ensure they are better prepared to respond and keep us safe the next time a public health emergency strikes.”

Face masks, medical gloves, eye protection and other PPE worn by health care professionals are necessary for treating patients and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. This bill will invest nearly $2 million to stockpile medical-grade PPE in Colorado so hospitals, vaccine clinics and other medical sites can have access to the protective equipment to keep them safe. Schools, community centers and other organizations can also receive stockpiled PPE.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Public Safety was charged with maintaining the state’s emergency stockpile of PPE and associated warehouses. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has since maintained a 60-day stockpile of five key PPE product categories to dispatch to state agencies as needed. This bill ensures Colorado has adequate PPE supplies for any future  pandemics or declared national disasters.

HB22-1352 now moves to the Governor's desk for final approval. Track the progress of the bill HERE.