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j_micjs_2018a_2018-06-27t13:06:40z1 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For UPDATE ON SENATE BILL 18-263

JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Date Jun 27, 2018      
Location HCR 0112



Update on Senate Bill 18-263 - Committee Discussion Only


01:22:11 PM  

Camille Harding, Colorado Department of Human Services, explained how medications are given to inmates in county jails.  She described the process that occurs when an inmate refuses medication.

01:23:23 PM  

Ms. Harding summarized Senate Bill 18-263 to the committee. The bill would have created a pilot program to allow psychiatrists to petition the court for authority to administer medications in a jail over the objections of an inmate.

01:25:08 PM  

Dr. Sasha Rai, Denver Health, explained his work as a mental health provider in the Denver County jail.  He descried how inmates with mental health disoirders are medicated, and described the court process that ensues when an inmate refuses medication.

01:27:46 PM  

Senator Martinez Humenik commented on the Mental Health Disorders in the Crimnial and Juvenile Justice Systems Task Force (task force) involvement with the issue of involuntary medication.  Ms. Harding explained that the task force has had difficulty coming to agreement on the policy of involuntary medication.

01:33:27 PM  

Committee discussion ensued regarding involuntary medication, civil rights concerns, data gathering, and best practices.

01:36:58 PM  

Dr. Rai discussed replicating the Denver County jail medication program.

01:39:30 PM  

Representative Singer opened up the discussion for public comment.  Gina Shimeall, representing herself, expressed her concerns regarding involuntary medication.

01:48:47 PM  

Committee members dialogued with Ms. Shimeall regarding task force discussions on involuntary medication.

01:50:37 PM  

Chrissie Hodges, representing herself, expressed her concerns with persons with mental health disorders being forced to take medications againt their will.

01:50:38 PM  

Vince Atchity, representing himself, commented on the policy of involuntary medication.

01:53:03 PM  

Moses Gur, Colorado Behavioral Health Care Council, commented on the work of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice regarding involuntary medication.

01:58:06 PM  

Mr. Gur responded to questions regarding funding for crisis services in Colorado.

02:07:52 PM  
Ms. Harding returned to the table to respond to questions about the crisis response system.






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