As used in this part 4, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Conrad 30 J-1 visa waiver program" means the program established in 8 U.S.C. sec. 1184 (l)(1)(D)(ii), allowing foreign-trained physicians who meet certain criteria to practice in communities designated as medically underserved areas, medically underserved populations, or health professional shortage areas.(2) "Department" means the department of public health and environment, created in section 25-1-102.(3) "Executive director" means the executive director of the department.(4) "Health-care professional" means a licensed physician, an advanced practice registered nurse registered pursuant to section 12-255-111, a mental health practitioner, a licensed physician assistant, or any other licensed health-care provider for which the federal government authorizes participation in a federally matched state loan repayment program to encourage health-care professionals to provide services in underserved communities.(5) "Health professional shortage area" has the same meaning as provided in 42 U.S.C. sec. 254e.(6) "Medically underserved area" means a medically underserved community as defined in 42 U.S.C. sec. 295p.(7) "Medically underserved population" has the same meaning as provided in 42 U.S.C. sec. 254b.(8) "National health service corps" means the program established in 42 U.S.C. sec. 254d.(9) "National interest waiver program" means the program established in 8 U.S.C. sec. 1153 (b)(2)(B)(ii) allowing foreign-trained physicians who meet certain criteria to practice in communities designated as medically underserved areas, medically underserved populations, or health professional shortage areas.(10) "State board" means the state board of health created in section 25-1-103.(11) "State-designated health professional shortage area" means an area of the state designated by the primary care office, in accordance with state-specific methodologies established by the state board by rule pursuant to section 25-1.5-404 (1)(a), as experiencing a shortage of health-care professionals or behavioral health-care providers.Amended by 2019 Ch. 136, § 146, eff. 10/1/2019.Amended by 2018 Ch. 222, § 2, eff. 7/1/2018.Renumbered from 25-20.5-602 and added by 2013 Ch. 150, § 1, eff. 8/7/2013.L. 2013: Entire part added with relocations, (HB 13-1074), ch. 480, p. 480, § 1, effective August 7. L. 2018: (11) added, (SB 18-024), ch. 1411, p. 1411, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2019: (4) amended, (HB 19-1172), ch. 1699, p. 1699, § 146, effective October 1.This section is similar to former § 25-20.5-602 as it existed prior to 2013.
For the legislative declaration in SB 18-024, see section 1 of chapter 222, Session Laws of Colorado 2018.