23E247A2D13594A887258233007A70B7 Hearing Summary

Representative Herod and Representative Wist, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1094 to the committee.  The bill indefinitely extends the Child Mental Health Treatment Act and renames it the Children and Youth Mental Health Treatment Act.  The bill also expands eligibility for services from age 18 to age 21, requires use of a standard risk stratification tool, requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to maintain a list of available providers on the DHS website, and modifies the advisory board.

Amendments L.004, L.005, L.006, L.007, and L.008 were distributed to committee members (Attachments D, E, F, G, and H).

Moe Keller, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Keller responded to committee questions.

Representative Wist responded to committee questions.

Representative Singer proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Michael Choy, representing himself, testified in support of the bill and distributed handouts to the committee (Attachments I and J).

Mr. Choy responded to committee questions.

Dr. Robert Werthwein, Office of Behavioral Health, DHS, testified in support of the bill.

Camille Harding, Office of Behavioral Health, DHS, testified in support of the bill.

Committee discussion continued with Dr. Werthwein and Ms. Harding.

Frank Cornelia, Colorado Behavioral Health Care Council, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Skip Barber, Colorado Association of Family and Children's Agencies, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Jason Williams, Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Barber responded to committee questions.

Margie Grimsley, Colorado Federation of Families, testified in support of the bill.

Melissa Eddleman, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), testified in support of the bill.

Christiano Sosa, the Arc of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Eddleman responded to questions from the committee.

Zach Lynkiewicz, HCPF, came to the table to respond to committee questions.

Camille Harding came back to the table to respond to committee questions.

Representatives Herod and Wist gave concluding remarks on the bill.  Committee members commented on the bill.