s_fin_2016a_2016-05-05t10:03:47z4 Hearing Summary

Date: 05/05/2016

11:28 AM -- HB16-1328



Senators Lambert and Lundberg, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 16-1328. The reengrossed bill expands the "Protection of Individuals from Restraint and Seclusion Act." The bill:

• adds seclusion wherever the use of restraint is limited, prohibited, or subject to specific requirements;

• adds that restraint and seclusion must never be used as punishment, as part of a treatment plan, as retaliation by staff, or for protection, unless ordered by the court or in an emergency; and

• expands the restrictions on use of restraint and seclusion to include youth, defined as anyone less than 21 years old.

11:32 AM -- Ms. Elise Logemann, representing the Colorado Juvenile Defenders Office, testified in support of the bill.



11:36 AM -- Mr. Jennifer Hill, representing the Colorado Mental Wellness Network and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



11:39 AM -- Ms. Rebecca Wallace and Ms. Denise Maes, both representing the ACLU of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Wallace addressed questions from the committee. Senator Lambert also addressed questions from the committee.



11:45 AM -- Ms. Nikki Hatch and Mr. Charles Parkins, both representing the Department of Human Services (DHS), testified in support of the bill. Ms. Hatch distributed an infographic showing seclusion data between January 2014 and March 2016 for the Division of Youth Corrections within the DHS (Attachment A). Senator Lambert discussion a proposed amendment that he plans to offer on second reading. Mr. Parkins addressed a question from the committee.



16SenateFin0505AttachA.pdf



11:55 AM



Senators Lambert and Lundberg made some closing remarks on the bill.