Colorado House Passes Bill to Strengthen Support for Nursing Home Workers and Residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13th 2026

This week, the Colorado House of Representatives passed House Bill 26-1244, legislation sponsored by Representative Junie Joseph that improves how funding from the state’s Nursing Home Penalty Cash Fund is distributed to support innovation, training, and quality improvements in nursing facilities.

House Bill 26-1244 updates state law so that grants from the Nursing Home Penalty Cash Fund align with priorities established by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The bill also expands the definition of programs that “benefit residents” to include education and training for nursing facility staff, ensuring that funds can be used to strengthen the workforce that provides daily care to some of Colorado’s most vulnerable residents.

By modernizing the grant process, the legislation will make it easier for facilities and organizations to implement projects that improve patient care, support staff development, and bring innovative solutions to long-term care settings. These investments help nursing home workers gain the training and tools they need to provide high-quality care while improving working conditions and professional development opportunities.

“Nursing home workers do some of the most important and demanding work in our healthcare system,” said Representative Junie Joseph. “This bill ensures that the resources we already collect through penalties are reinvested in ways that strengthen staff training, support innovation, and improve care for residents across Colorado.”

The bill also updates reporting timelines and allows a broader range of entities to apply for innovation grants, helping expand access to programs that improve safety, quality of life, and workforce development in nursing facilities.

House Bill 26-1244 now moves to the Colorado Senate for consideration.