6CECAAD213B290F68725851C0064139B Hearing Summary

Representative Kraft-Tharp and Representative MCluskie, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 20-1284.

After January 1, 2022, this bill requires secure transportation services to be licensed by a county's board of commissioners in order to provide urgent transportation to an emergency medical services facility, a mental health treatment facility, an approved alcohol and substance abuse treatment center, or a walk-in crisis center for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.  The State Board of Health in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) must promulgate rules establishing minimum requirements for secure transportation services licensing.  If an entity meets these requirements, the entity may apply to the local board of county commissioners to get a license.  Licenses, permits, and renewals all require a fee to cover the direct and indirect costs to issue the licenses.  If approved, the board of commissioners must issue a license, valid for three years, and a permit for each vehicle, valid for twelve months, to the applying entity.  Licenses or permits cannot be sold, reassigned, or transferred.  Secure transportation services are not subject to the state's motor carrier regulations.

Medicaid benefit.  After January 1, 2022, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) must create a benefit for secure transportation services.  HCPF must also create a cost-effective method to provide secure transportation services that includes:

•    medical service provider or facility access to approved secure transportation needs; and

•    an efficient method for obtaining and paying for secure transportation needs.

Behavioral health system.  The bill allows secure transportation services, in lieu of a sheriff, to transport an individual who has been detained for a mental health evaluation and treatment, and for the safety of the individual or the public, requires secure transportation to another facility.  The Office of Behavioral Health in the Department of Human Services (DHS) must collaborate with the Commissioner of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to identify barriers and solutions to expanding private health plan coverage to include payment for secure transportation services.  In addition, the DHS must  send a report to the General Assembly, before December 1, 2022, concerning how secure transportation is being used, how local communities are facilitating the use, and how the DHS has supported the use secure transportation.     

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Sandra Sharp, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A).

Lauren Snyder, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Valerie Schlecht, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Daniel Darting, Signal Behavioral Health Network, testified in support of the bill.

Gini Pingenot, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the bill.

The previous panel of witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Sophia San Miguel, representing herself, testified in favor of the bill.

Representative Kraft-Tharp and Representative McCluskie described and distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

The bill sponsors described and distributed amendment L.002 (Attachment C).

The bill sponsors responded to questions about amendment L.002 (Attachment C).

Lauren Snyder, Mental Health Colorado, responded to questions about amendment L.002 (Attachment C).

The bill sponsors made closing comments on the bill.

The committee members made closing comments on the bill.