I_MICJS_2023A 07/27/2023 12:32:03 PM Committee Summary

Representative Amabile, Chair, gave opening remarks to the committee.

Dr. Daniel Murrie, University of Virginia, and Dr. Neil Gowensmith, University of Denver, introduced themselves and presented on the national "competency" crisis. They discussed the role of misdemeanor charges in the competency crisis, the rise of incarceration over hospitalization, the need for increased restoration capacity, and recent legislation that has worked well to address these issues.



Dr. Gowensmith discussed their recommendations to further address competency proceedings.  



The presentation can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/7.27.23_co_legislative_taskforce_presentation.pdf

Dr. Murrie and Dr. Gowensmith responded to questions from the committee on the systemic changes needed to fully address the competency crisis in Colorado.  Further questions were asked about the consequences of having such a high volume of people who are inappropriately incarcerated.  Discussion followed about the need for more alternatives to incarceration, recidivism rates of the different treatment protcols, and the timeline for civil treatment options.

Ryan Templeton, Division Director, Policy and External Affairs, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) presented about the BHA.  He presented on their core priorities, the role and benefits of the Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organizations (BHASO), the timeline for BHASO contract cycles, the care coordination structure, and how the BHA is meeting its statutory charges.



The presentation can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/7.27.23_bha_system_slides_tx_of_persons_w_bhdcjs_interim_committee.pdf

Mr. Templeton responded to questions from the committee on the BHA's leadership structure, workforce development initiatives, outreach strategies to connect with people of color, and coordination with Medicaid. Discussion followed about care coordination. 

Stuart Jenkins, Advisory
Task Force Co-Chair, and Dr. Erin Crites, Task Force Member, presented
on the changes to the task force's leadership and on the task force's recommendations.



Mr. Jenkins discussed the task force's consolidated recommendations, which
include measures related to competency, strengthening Colorado's response
to behavioral health crises, restricting the use of dispensary cannabis
for those on probation while in court-ordered treatment, and the rights
of individuals with behavioral health disorders in the criminal justice
system.



The task force's
recommendations can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/consolidated_task_force_recommendations.pdf

Mr. Jenkins and Dr. Crites responded to questions from the committee about the medical marijuana legislative recommendation. Further questions were raised about healthcare providers access to information about a patient's warrent status.

Cristen Bates, Director, Office of Medicaid and CHP+ Behavioral Health Initiatives and Coverage, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), and Hannah Hall, Criminal Justice Policy Advisor, HCPF, presented about  investments in behavioral health transformation and expansion, the new federal guidance on waivers and how that affects reimbursements, health related social needs, and the benefits of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH).



The presentation can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/hcpf_presentation_for_bhdcjs_oversight_committee_july_2023.pptx_.pdf

Stuart Jenkins, Advisory Task Force Co-Chair, discussed the task force member appointment process. He presented background information about the candidate to fill the position that represents a parent of a child with a behavioral health issue involved in the criminal justice system.   

Amanda Edwards, Director of Forensic Services, Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health (OCFMH), responded to questions from the committee on the need to re-evaluate cases prior to restoring competency, the state of evaluaees during an evaluation, and the current authorization process to get a re-evaluation approved.

Mr. Karbach testified about competency, forced treatment, and voluntary treatment systems. He responded to questions from the committee on the disconnect between the statutory timeline for treatment and the timeline that occurs in practice.