A VARIETY OF LAWS WILL TAKE EFFECT IN 2003

Yo, snowboarders!

Does your favorite wintertime activity - with risk of broken limbs and
cracked ribs - make your insurance agent nervous?

Fear not!

A law that goes into effect at midnight tonight says you can enjoy your
sport - within reason - without fear of losing your medical coverage.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Golden, bars
insurance companies from denying medical benefits to an individual based
solely on that person's casual or nonprofessional skiing or snowboarding
habits.

Naturally, this does not apply to folks who snowboard or ski
professionally, particularly those competing in the "extreme" contests.

Fitz-Gerald, who is a recreational skier, said she introduced SB 107
because of a change in federal law that allows insurance companies to carve
out what they might not cover based on how the injury occurred. In other
words, fall off a ladder and break an arm, it's covered. Fall off a slope
while skiing and break an arm, forget it. Well, maybe.

Insurance companies insisted there was no way they would ever make skiing
or snowboarding an exception to the coverage, but Fitz-Gerald wasn't
willing to take any chances.

"There was the possibility of a problem," Fitz-Gerald said Monday. "They
would have had the option of not paying for an injury caused by skiing."

Utah and Vermont, both ski destination states, passed similar legislation
to protect their skiers and snowboarders as well as the ski industry, she said.

The legislation is just one of 17 bills that become law in entirety or part
in 2003. Most others approved by lawmakers at their 2002 session went into
effect earlier.

Also becoming law is HB 1287 by House Minority Leader Jennifer Veiga,
D-Denver, requiring courts to report to the National Instant Criminal
Background Check System the name of anyone with a civil or criminal record
involving mental illness or substance abuse.

The courts must report findings of incapacity as well as orders committing
someone to the custody of the division of alcohol and drug abuse or
involving court-ordered treatment of mental illness.

At the time the bill was approved, Veiga said the legislation was aimed at
closing a loophole in existing criminal background checks on gun buyers.

"Ask yourself who you'd like not to have a gun, and I think you'll realize
that it's not just those with overt criminal records that should be denied
this privilege," Veiga said.

Other bills becoming law with the new year:

. HB 1003, increasing the amount of excess loss coverage of a self-insured
employer from $10,000 to $15,000 per person enrolled in a health benefit
plan. Other sections of the bill became law earlier.

. HB 1013, clarifying laws dealing with a small employer that enrolls only
one worker in a group health benefit plan.

. HB 1032, allowing members of statewide benefit plan subject to fire and
police pension association board rules to purchase or roll over service
credit for any other type of public employment.

. HB 1050, requiring auto insurance carriers to provide a statement of the
cost savings if the insured opts for managed care.

. HB 1055, clarifying the process for the review and adjustment of child
support amounts. It reduces the period of time from 40 to 30 days in which
either party may challenge the results of the review.

. HB 1164, increasing the types of health insurance products that can be
offered by a small employer carrier to small employer groups.

. HB 1189, changing the special designation on the certificate of title for
a salvage vehicle from the single letter "S" to the phrase "REBUILT FROM
SALVAGE."

. HB 1263, requiring insurers that provide coverage for substance-abuse
treatment to provide coverage whether it is voluntary or court-ordered. But
coverage is required only if deemed medically necessary and is otherwise
covered by the plan.

. HB 1281, creating a Colorado traumatic brain injury board within the
Department of Human Services. A surcharge on those convicted of drunk and
impaired driving will create a trust fund by July 1, 2004 to help pay for
treatment of those unable to pay the costs.

. HB 1353, requiring adjustments to health care claims to be made within 12
months after the date of the original explanation of benefits. . HB 1358,
establishing a method for property tax assessments for bed and breakfast
lodging establishments.

. SB 21, updating a schedule of basic child support obligations based on
monthly adjusted gross income of a non-custodial parent.

. SB 146, requiring insurers to refund prepaid premiums for Medicare
supplement insurance policies after 30 days of coverage.

. SB 21, establishing a $50 minimum monthly child support amount for
parents whose combined monthly adjusted gross income is $850 or less.

. SB 188, requiring insurance plans with prescription drug benefits to
provide policy holders with a prescription card containing uniform information.

. SB 196, requiring real estate brokerage relationships to be disclosed in
writing to a person engaging a broker. Prohibits dual agency and subagency
real estate brokerage relationships.