189D198FA7CD3BB68725822500713CF8 Hearing Summary

Representative Hamner and Representative Liston, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1006 to the committee and distributed a handout (Attachment A).  The bill expands newborn screening for genetic and metabolic diseases, increases access to follow-up services, and creates a funding source for newborn hearing loss screening.

Representative Singer proceeded with witness testimony on the bill, and noted that a qualified sign language interpreter was present to assist deaf and hard of hearing witnesses.

Sarah Wilkerson, March of Dimes, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Wilkerson responded to questions from the committee.

Kay Kelly, March of Dimes, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Kelly responded to questions from the committee.

Jamie Fries, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dessie Berry, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Berry responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Mary Kohn, UCHealth, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Peter Baker, Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. David Horst, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Baker, Dr. Horst, and Dr. Kohn responded to committee questions.

Rebecca Messall, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Carolyn Martin, Christian Home Educators of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Representative Liston responded to committee questions.

Dr. Stephen Cass, UCHealth and Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Vicki Thomson, University of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Christine Yoshinaga-Itano, University of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Denise Davis Pedrie, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Cass and Ms. Thomson responded to questions from the committee.  Representative Liston commented.

Vance Youngs, Colorado Association for the Deaf, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Youngs responded to committee questions.

Ruthie Jordan, representing herself, testified regarding the bill.  Ms. Jordan responded to committee questions.

Ellen Stern, Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Stern responded to committee questions.

Mr. Youngs returned to the table to respond to committee questions.

Michael Nicoletti, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Nicoletti responded to committee questions.

Dana Epelding, CDPHE, came to the table to respond to committee questions.  Ms. Stern responded to committee questions.

Representative Liston distributed amendment L.001 and L.002 (Attachment B and C), and described them to the committee.

Representative Liston gave concluding remarks on the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.