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Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 26-0085.01 Renee Leone x2695 HOUSE BILL 26-1272
House Committees Senate Committees
Health & Human Services
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS NECESSITATED BY CLIMATE101
CHANGE.102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill requires the department of labor and employment (CDLE),
on or before January 1, 2027, to begin collecting data concerning
temperature-related injury or illness or temperature-related emergencies
at worksites in the state, including by requiring the division of labor
standards and statistics (division) to:
! Develop a platform on CDLE's website where users can
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Froelich and Velasco,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Cutter and Weissman,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
provide informa tion a bout occurrences of
temperature-related injury or illness or temperature-related
emergencies;
! Obtain from the department of public health and
environment (CDPHE) data that CDPHE has collected
through its syndromic surveillance program regarding
occurrences of heat-related injury or illness or heat-related
emergencies; and
! Collect similar data from the division of workers'
compensation and the Center for Improving Value in
Health Care.
On or before January 1, 2028, the bill requires the division to
develop a model temperature-related injury and illness prevention plan
(TRIIPP) that thereafter must be made available on CDLE's website.
Employers of workers who are exposed to extreme hot or cold
temperatures at worksites are required to develop and submit a TRIIPP
to the division on or before September 1, 2028, and the division is
required to develop procedures regarding how often employers will be
required to submit an updated TRIIPP and how the division will handle
review of TRIIPPs.
Lastly, the bill requires CDLE to develop training standards related
to temperature safety and ensure that employers are providing proper
training to workers who are affected by extreme temperatures.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 8-14.4-1012
as follows:3
8-14.4-101. Definitions.4
As used in this article 14.4, unless the context otherwise requires:5
(1) "ACCLIMATIZED" MEANS THE BODY'S ADAPTATION TO WORK IN6
THE HEAT OR COLD AS THE BODY IS EXPOSED TO HEAT OR COLD7
GRADUALLY OVER TIME, WHICH REDUCES THE STRAIN CAUSED BY HEAT8
STRESS OR COLD STRESS AND REDUCES THE CHANCE OF DEVELOPING9
HEAT-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS OR COLD-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS.10
(1) (2) "Agricultural employment" has the meaning set forth in11
section 8-13.5-201 (2).12
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(3) "C OLD-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS " MEANS A SERIOUS1
MEDICAL CONDITION RESULTING FROM THE BODY 'S INABILITY TO COPE2
WITH COLD STRESS. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF COLD-RELATED INJURY OR3
ILLNESS MAY INCLUDE NUMBNESS , THE FEELING OF PINS AND NEEDLES ,4
BLUE AND BLOTCHY SKIN, ACHES, FATIGUE, CONFUSION, DISORIENTATION,5
EXCESSIVE SHIVERING, AND LOSS OF COORDINATION.6
(4) "COLD-TEMPERATURE TRIGGER" MEANS A TEMPERATURE AT7
WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL, IF EXPOSED FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD, MAY BE AT8
RISK OF SUFFERING FROM A COLD -RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS OR9
TEMPERATURE-RELATED EMERGENCY.10
(1.5) (5) "Department" means the department of labor and11
employment.12
(2) (6) "Division" means the division of labor standards and13
statistics in the department.14
(7) "H EAT-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS " MEANS A SERIOUS15
MEDICAL CONDITION RESULTING FROM THE BODY 'S INABILITY TO COPE16
WITH HEAT STRESS. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT-RELATED INJURY OR17
ILLNESS MAY INCLUDE HEADACHE , NAUSEA , WEAKNESS , DIZZINESS ,18
ELEVATED BODY TEMPERATURE, MUSCLE CRAMPS, AND MUSCLE PAIN OR19
SPASMS.20
(8) "HEAT-TEMPERATURE TRIGGER" MEANS A TEMPERATURE AT21
WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL, IF EXPOSED FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD, MAY BE AT22
RISK OF SUFFERING FROM A HEAT -RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS OR23
TEMPERATURE-RELATED EMERGENCY.24
(9) "POTABLE DRINKING WATER" MEANS WATER THAT IS SAFE FOR25
HUMAN CONSUMPTION.26
(3) (10) "Principal" means:27
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(a) An "employer" as set forth in the federal "Fair Labor Standards1
Act of 1938", 29 U.S.C. sec. 203 (d);2
(b) A foreign labor contractor and OR a migratory field labor3
contractor or crew leader;4
(c) The state of Colorado, local governments, and political5
subdivisions of the state as defined in section 1-7.5-103 (6);6
(d) An entity that contracts with five or more independent7
contractors in the state each year; and8
(e) A person or entity engaged in agricultural employment.9
(4) (11) "Public health emergency" means:10
(a) A public health order issued by a state or local public health11
agency; or12
(b) A disaster emergency declared by the governor based on a13
public health concern.14
(12) "SHADE" MEANS THE BLOCKAGE OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT, SUCH15
THAT OBJECTS DO NOT CAST A SHADOW IN THE AREA OF BLOCKED16
SUNLIGHT.17
(13) "SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF A COLD EMERGENCY " MEANS THE18
PHYSIOLOGICAL MANIFESTATION OF A COLD-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS,19
INCLUDING HYPOTHERMIA , FROSTBITE , DROWSINESS , LOSS OF20
CONSCIOUSNESS, OR TRENCH FOOT.21
(14) "SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF A HEAT EMERGENCY " MEANS THE22
PHYSIOLOGICAL MANIFESTATION OF A HEAT-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS,23
INCLUDING HEAT STROKE , HEAT EXHAUSTION , FAINTING , OR LOSS OF24
CONSCIOUSNESS.25
(15) "T EMPERATURE-RELATED EMERGENCY" MEANS A SERIOUS26
MEDICAL EMERGENCY IN WHICH A WORKER IS EXHIBITING SIGNS OR27
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SYMPTOMS OF A HEAT EMERGENCY OR SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF A COLD1
EMERGENCY.2
(16) "T EMPERATURE-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS " MEANS3
COLD-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS, HEAT-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS, OR4
BOTH.5
(17) "TRIIPP" OR "TEMPERATURE-RELATED INJURY AND ILLNESS6
PREVENTION PLAN" MEANS A WORKSITE TEMPERATURE-RELATED INJURY7
AND ILLNESS PREVENTION PLAN REQUIRED BY SECTION 8-14.4-101.5 (4).8
(5) (18) "Worker" means:9
(a) An "employee" as defined in section 8-4-101 (5); or10
(b) A person A N INDIVIDUAL who works for an entity that11
contracts with five or more independent contractors in the state each year.12
(19) "WORKER AFFECTED BY EXTREME TEMPERATURES" MEANS A13
WORKER WHO WORKS OUTDOORS OR IS OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO14
EXPOSURES AT OR ABOVE THE HEAT -TEMPERATURE TRIGGER OR AT OR15
BELOW THE COLD -TEMPERATURE TRIGGER FOR A DURATION THAT THE16
DIVISION DETERMINES MAY RESULT IN A TEMPERATURE-RELATED INJURY17
OR ILLNESS OR A TEMPERATURE-RELATED EMERGENCY.18
(20) "W ORKSITE" MEANS A PHYSICAL LOCATION WHERE A19
PRINCIPAL'S WORK OR OPERATIONS ARE PERFORMED.20
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 8-14.4-101.5 as21
follows:22
8-14.4-101.5. Worker protection - extreme temperatures -23
temperature-related injury and illness prevention plan - legislative24
declaration - rules.25
(1) Legislative declaration. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND26
DECLARES THAT:27
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(a) CLIMATE CHANGE IS EXACERBATING THE EFFECTS OF EXTREME1
WEATHER EVENTS, INCLUDING EXTREME HEAT, EXTREME COLD, DROUGHT,2
AND WILDFIRE IN COLORADO;3
(b) SINCE 2011, COLORADO HAS MADE IT A PRIORITY TO TRACK4
TEMPERATURE -RELATED INJURY AND ILLNESS AND TO ENSURE5
COLORADANS ARE AWARE OF THE RISKS OF EXPOSURE TO EXTREME HEAT6
AND EXTREME COLD;7
(c) I N 2024, COLORADO'S LARGEST WORKERS ' COMPENSATION8
INSURER HAS INDICATED THAT INDOOR AND OUTDOOR WORKERS IN THE9
STATE ARE FIFTY -TWO PERCENT MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE INJURY10
DURING EXTREME TEMPERATURE EVENTS;11
(d) S INCE 2021, FEDERAL EXPERTS AT THE UNITED STATES12
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT WORKERS WORKING IN13
EXTREME TEMPERATURES NEED ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS , AND THE14
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION HAS ASSERTED15
THAT EXPOSURE TO EXTREME TEMPERATURES IN THE WORKPLACE POSES16
A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY AND ILLNESS;17
(e) THE STATE'S ECONOMY DEPENDS ON THE LABOR OF WORKERS18
ACROSS MANY SECTORS AND INDUSTRIES WHO ARE ROUTINELY EXPOSED19
TO DANGEROUS WORKING CONDITIONS , INCLUDING EXTREME HEAT ,20
EXTREME COLD , AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS THAT MAY21
THREATEN THEIR HEALTH, SAFETY, AND LIVES. THE RISKS THESE WORKERS22
FACE INCREASE AS OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES BECOME MORE VOLATILE ,23
AND WORKERS WHO ARE EXPOSED TO PROLONGED HEAT OR COLD24
SOMETIMES SUFFER PREVENTABLE INJURIES, ILLNESSES, AND DEATHS.25
(f) T HE STATE 'S CURRENT PROTECTIONS ARE INADEQUATE TO26
PROTECT WORKERS EXPOSED TO EXTREME TEMPERATURES AT WORKSITES.27
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EXISTING WORKPLACE STANDARDS DO NOT REQUIRE COMPREHENSIVE1
PREVENTION PLANS; DO NOT GUARANTEE ACCESS TO POTABLE DRINKING2
WATER, SHADE , OR COOL -DOWN OR WARM -UP AREAS ; AND DO NOT3
ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING TEMPERATURES , ADJUSTING4
WORK PRACTICES DURING EXTREME HEAT OR EXTREME COLD , OR5
PROTECTING NEWLY HIRED OR RETURNING WORKERS WHO ARE NOT6
ACCLIMATIZED. AS A RESULT, MANY WORKERS CONTINUE TO FACE UNSAFE7
CONDITIONS WITHOUT ENFORCEABLE SAFEGUARDS.8
(g) T HE ABSENCE OF CONSISTENT STATEWIDE STANDARDS9
CREATES UNEQUAL PROTECTIONS ACROSS INDUSTRIES AND REGIONS ,10
LEAVING THE MOST VULNERABLE WORKERS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO WORK11
IN LOW -PAYING POSITIONS , AT THE GREATEST RISK OF HARM . THESE12
WORKERS OFTEN FACE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS , SUCH AS FEAR OF13
RETALIATION, LIMITED ACCESS TO COMPLAINT SYSTEMS OR REPORTING ,14
AND A LACK OF ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION IN A LANGUAGE THEY15
UNDERSTAND. THESE BARRIERS CONTRIBUTE TO UNDERREPORTING OF16
DANGEROUS CONDITIONS AND PREVENT TIMELY INTERVENTION.17
(h) R EQUIRING PRINCIPALS TO ADOPT CLEAR , PROACTIVE18
MEASURES, INCLUDING MONITORING AND RECORDING TEMPERATURE19
CONDITIONS, PROVIDING POTABLE DRINKING WATER AND REST BREAKS ,20
ENSURING ACCESS TO SHADE OR SHELTER , DEVELOPING WRITTEN21
PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PLANS , AND ADEQUATELY TRAINING22
WORKERS, IS NECESSARY TO REDUCE TEMPERATURE -RELATED INJURIES23
AND ILLNESSES IN THE STATE. THE STATE SHOULD REQUIRE PROTECTIONS24
THAT ARE PRACTICAL , EVIDENCE -BASED, AND ACHIEVABLE FOR25
EMPLOYERS OF ALL SIZES.26
(i) P ROTECTING WORKERS FROM EXTREME TEMPERATURES IS A27
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MATTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND ECONOMIC STABILITY .1
ENSURING SAFER WORKING CONDITIONS ACROSS INDUSTRIES WILL REDUCE2
PREVENTABLE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES, SUPPORT WORKFORCE RETENTION3
AND PR ODUCTIVITY, AND PROMOTE FAIRNESS FOR PRINCIPALS THAT4
ALREADY COMPLY WITH HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS.5
(j) E STABLISHING STATEWIDE ENFORCEABLE PROTECTIONS FOR6
WORKERS EXPOSED TO EXTREME TEMPERATURES IS NECESSARY TO7
SAFEGUARD THE STATE 'S WORKFORCE , STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND8
COMMUNITIES, AND UPHOLD THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT9
WORKERS CAN PERFORM THEIR DUTIES WITHOUT RISKING THEIR HEALTH,10
THEIR SAFETY, OR THEIR LIVES.11
(2) Data collection - model temperature-related injury and12
illness prevention plan.13
(a) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 15, 2027, THE DIVISION SHALL:14
(I) DEVELOP A PLATFORM ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE WHERE15
USERS CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT OCCURRENCES OF16
TEMPERATURE-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS OR TEMPERATURE-RELATED17
EMERGENCIES AT WORKSITES IN THE STATE;18
(II) OBTAIN DATA FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND19
ENVIRONMENT USING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND20
ENVIRONMENT'S CURRENT SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM , OR A21
SUCCESSOR PROGRAM, TO TRACK OCCURRENCES OF HEAT-RELATED INJURY22
OR ILLNESS OR HEAT-RELATED EMERGENCIES AT WORKSITES IN THE STATE;23
AND24
(III) BEGIN WORKING WITH:25
(A) THE DIVISION OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION TO PERIODICALLY,26
AND AT LEAST TWICE ANNUALLY , COLLECT INFORMATION CONCERNING27
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CLAIMS FOR WORKERS ' COMPENSATION THAT INVOLVE1
TEMPERATURE-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS OR TEMPERATURE-RELATED2
EMERGENCIES; AND3
(B) THE CENTER FOR IMPROVING VALUE IN HEALTH CARE, OR A4
SUCCESSOR ORGANIZATION , TO PERIODICALLY , AND AT LEAST TWICE5
ANNUALLY, COLLECT INFORMATION CONCERNING OCCURRENCES OF6
TEMPERATURE-RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS OR TEMPERATURE-RELATED7
EMERGENCIES AT WORKSITES IN THE STATE.8
(b) (I) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2028, USING DATA COLLECTED9
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION AND ANY OTHER10
AVAILABLE RESOURCES, THE DIVISION SHALL DEVELOP A MODEL TRIIPP.11
THE MODEL TRIIPP MAY INCLUDE:12
(A) A LIST OF THE TYPE OF WORK ACTIVITIES COVERED BY THE13
TRIIPP;14
(B) A N IDENTIFICATION OF THE TEMPERATURE METRIC THAT A15
PRINCIPAL SHALL MONITOR, INCLUDING THE HEAT-TEMPERATURE TRIGGER16
AND THE COLD-TEMPERATURE TRIGGER;17
(C) A MONITORING PLAN TO ENSURE WORKER SAFETY WHEN A18
WORKER IS EXPOSED TO CONDITIONS AT OR ABOVE THE19
HEAT-TEMPERATURE TRIGGER OR AT OR BELOW THE COLD-TEMPERATURE20
TRIGGER;21
(D) A PLAN FOR WARM -UP BREAKS FOR WORKERS WHO ARE22
EXPOSED TO CONDITIONS AT OR BELOW THE COLD-TEMPERATURE TRIGGER;23
(E) A PLAN FOR COOL-DOWN BREAKS, WITH ACCESS TO SHADE OR24
AN AIR -CONDITIONED AREA , FOR WORKERS WHO ARE EXPOSED TO25
CONDITIONS AT OR ABOVE THE HEAT-TEMPERATURE TRIGGER;26
(F) A PLAN FOR ENSURING THAT WORKERS HAVE EASY ACCESS TO27
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POTABLE DRINKING WATER AND A CLIMATE-APPROPRIATE REST AREA; AND1
(G) A DDITIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AS DETERMINED2
NECESSARY BY THE DIVISION.3
(II) THE DIVISION'S MODEL TRIIPP MUST ALSO INCLUDE A SAMPLE4
TEMPERATURE-RELATED EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN OR PROVIDE5
INFORMATION REGARDING BEST PRACTICES FOR CREATING A6
TEMPERATURE-RELATED EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN.7
(3) Rule-making and access to model temperature-related8
injury and illness prevention plan.9
(a) B Y JANUARY 15, 2027, THE DIVISION SHALL BEGIN A10
RULE-MAKING PROCEEDING, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8-14.4-10811
AND IN RESPONSE TO THE DATA COLLECTED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION12
(2)(a) OF THIS SECTION, TO ADOPT RULES NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS13
SECTION.14
(b) (I) O N AND AFTER JANUARY 15, 2028, THE DIVISION SHALL15
ENSURE THE MODEL TRIIPP, DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2)(b)16
OF THIS SECTION , IS AVAILABLE ON THE DEPARTMENT 'S WEBSITE IN A17
FORMAT THAT CAN BE VIEWED OR DOWNLOADED.18
(II) T HE DIVISION SHALL ANNUALLY REVIEW AND MAKE19
NECESSARY UPDATES TO THE MODEL TRIIPP.20
(4) Principal submitted temperature-related injury and illness21
prevention plan - review process.22
(a) A PRINCIPAL THAT EMPLOYS WORKERS AFFECTED BY EXTREME23
TEMPERATURES SHALL SUBMIT AN INITIAL TRIIPP TO THE DIVISION FOR24
REVIEW ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2028.25
(b) I N ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIVISION 'S RULE -MAKING26
AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (3) OF THIS SECTION, THE DIVISION27
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SHALL:1
(I) D EVELOP A PROCEDURE FOR REVIEWING AND APPROVING A2
TRIIPP;3
(II) DEVELOP A PROCEDURE BY WHICH THE DIVISION CAN REQUIRE4
A PRINCIPAL TO MAKE CHANGES TO A TRIIPP THAT THE DIVISION5
DETERMINES DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS6
SECTION; AND7
(III) SPECIFY WHEN AND HOW OFTEN A PRINCIPAL MUST SUBMIT AN8
UPDATED TRIIPP TO THE DIVISION FOR REVIEW.9
(5) Temperature-related injury or illness and10
temperature-related emergency prevention training.11
(a) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVELOP TRAINING STANDARDS FOR12
THE PREVENTION OF TEMPERATURE -RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS AND13
TEMPERATURE-RELATED EMERGENCIES AND ENSURE THAT A PRINCIPAL14
THAT EMPLOYS WORKERS AFFECTED BY EXTREME TEMPERATURES15
PROPERLY TRAINS EACH WORKER IN A MANNER THAT ENSURES EACH16
WORKER UNDERSTANDS THE TRAINING.17
(b) A PRINCIPAL THAT FAILS TO PROPERLY TRAIN WORKERS18
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (5)(a) OF THIS SECTION MAY BE REPORTED TO19
THE DIVISION AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO PENALTIES PURSUANT TO SECTION20
8-14.4-105.21
(6) THIS SECTION IS NOT INTENDED TO SUPERSEDE OR DIMINISH A22
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT:23
(a) PROVIDES EQUAL OR GREATER RIGHTS OR PROTECTIONS FOR24
WORKERS; OR25
(b) REQUIRES EQUAL OR MORE PROTECTIVE WORKPLACE HEALTH26
AND SAFETY PROCEDURES.27
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SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 8-14.4-106, amend1
(2) introductory portion, (3)(a), (3)(b), and (3)(d); and add (6) as follows: 2
8-14.4-106. Relief authorized.3
(2) A court may order affirmative relief that the court determines4
to be appropriate, including the following relief, against a respondent who5
is found to have engaged in a discriminatory, adverse, or retaliatory6
employment practice prohibited by VIOLATED this article 14.4:7
(3) (a) In addition to the relief available pursuant to subsection (2)8
of this section, in a civil action br ought by a plaintiff under this article9
14.4 against a defendant who is found to have engaged in an intentional10
discriminatory, adverse, or retaliatory employment practice VIOLATION OF11
THIS ARTICLE 14.4, the plaintiff may recover compensatory and punitive12
damages as specified in this subsection (3).13
(b) A plaintiff may recover punitive damages against a defendant14
if the plaintiff demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the15
defendant engaged in a discriminatory, adverse, or retaliatory16
employment practice VIOLATED THIS ARTICLE 14.4 with malice or reckless17
indifference to the rights of the plaintiff. However, if the defendant18
demonstrates good faith efforts to comply with this article 14.4 and to19
prevent discriminatory, adverse, and retaliatory employment practices in20
the workplace VIOLATIONS OF THIS ARTICLE 14.4, the court shall not21
award punitive damages against the defendant.22
(d) In determining the appropriate level of damages to award a23
plaintiff who has been the victim of an intentional discriminatory,24
adverse, or retaliatory employment practice VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE25
14.4, the court shall consider the size and assets of the defendant and the26
egregiousness of the discriminatory, adverse, or retaliatory employment27
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practice VIOLATION.1
(6) T HIS ARTICLE 14.4 IS NOT INTENDED TO LIMIT OR AFFECT A2
WORKER'S RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER THE "WORKERS' COMPENSATION3
ACT OF COLORADO", ARTICLES 40 TO 47 OF THIS TITLE 8. THE RIGHTS AND4
REMEDIES PROVIDED BY THIS ARTICLE 14.4 ARE IN ADDITION TO THOSE5
RIGHTS AND REMEDIES SET FORTH IN ARTICLES 40 TO 47 OF THIS TITLE 8.6
SECTION 4. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act7
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the8
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August9
12, 2026, if adj ournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a10
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the11
state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act12
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect13
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in14
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the15
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.16
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