Colorado bill mandates transparency in medical spa services and delegation practices

The Senate Health & Human Services Committee convened on March 19, 2025, to discuss critical legislation aimed at enhancing consumer protection in the rapidly growing medical spa industry in Colorado. The meeting focused on House Bill 1020, which seeks to improve transparency regarding the delegation of medical aesthetic services.

Senator Roberts introduced the bill, highlighting the increasing popularity of medical spas, where aesthetic procedures such as Botox and fillers are performed. A significant concern raised was the practice of allowing unlicensed individuals to administer these services under the supervision of licensed medical directors. This delegation can lead to situations where consumers unknowingly receive treatments from unlicensed personnel, raising safety and ethical issues.

The proposed legislation mandates that medical directors at med spas must display their licenses prominently and provide their contact information. Additionally, med spas will be required to give patients a disclosure document that informs them about the qualifications of the individuals performing their treatments. This initiative aims to empower consumers to make informed decisions and understand the risks associated with receiving services from unlicensed practitioners.

Sam Delp, the division director for the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), supported the bill, emphasizing the need for public awareness regarding who is administering medical services. He noted that there have been instances of harm reported due to untrained individuals performing procedures, underscoring the importance of the proposed disclosures.

The committee did not raise any immediate questions following the presentation, indicating a general consensus on the necessity of the bill. The discussion concluded with a commitment to advancing the legislation, which aims to enhance consumer safety and accountability within the medical spa sector.

Overall, the meeting underscored the Colorado legislature's proactive approach to addressing consumer protection in the evolving landscape of aesthetic medicine, with House Bill 1020 poised to bring significant changes to the industry.