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PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB25-1132

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Feb 19, 2025       Location HCR 0112

HB25-1132 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations


05:33:18 PM  
The committee was placed in a brief recess.
05:39:58 PM  
The committee came back to order.
05:40:10 PM  
The primary bill sponsors, Representatives Camacho and Stewart R., introduced House Bill 25-1132 to the House Health and Human Services Committee. The bill repeals and reenacts the Veterans Mental Health Services Program in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Currently the program directly reimburses for mental health services provided to eligible veterans living in community living centers. The bill allows reimbursements for services that are complementary to mental health services such as acupuncture and massage and requires the first $600,000 appropriated to the program to be for eligible veterans. In addition to direct provider reimbursements, the bill allows the program to provide grants to nonprofit organizations to establish and expand community behavioral health programs for service members, veterans, and their families. The bill requires the Behavioral Health Administration to award grants, outlines who is eligible to receive grants, what nonprofits must demonstrate when applying for a grant, and how to prioritize applicants.
05:45:47 PM  
The sponsors responded to questions from the committee.
05:56:59 PM  
Mindy Gates, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified to amend the bill.

Ms. Erica Gannett, representing Behavioral Health Administration, testified to amend the bill.
06:03:14 PM  
Mr. Scott Feldt, representing Disabled American Veterans, testified to amend the bill.

Ms. Brittany Costa, representing The Sturm Center, testified to amend the bill.

Michelle Kalkowski, representing Colorado Council of Chapters, Military Officer Association of America, testified to amend the bill.
06:11:29 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
06:19:36 PM  
Ms. Amy Moore, representing The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Red Rock, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Joshua Martin, representing Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Red Rock, testified in support of the bill.

Katie Wolf, representing Denver Health, testified in support of the bill.

Bob McLaughlin, representing Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, testified to amend the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment O).
06:29:17 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment P).

06:30:47 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment P).
Moved Lieder
Seconded Rydin
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
06:30:48 PM  
The primary bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.
06:33:03 PM  
Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.

06:44:22 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 25-1132, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Lieder
Seconded Stewart K.
Bradfield No
Bradley No
English Yes
Feret Yes
Garcia Sander No
Gilchrist Yes
Hamrick Yes
Johnson No
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Lieder Yes
Brown Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS