8EDEADE82AB4F48B872586E80080B1D2 Hearing Summary

Representative Michaelson Jenet, bill sponsor, introduced and gave opening comments on SB21-137. The bill extends, modifies, and finances behavioral health programs throughout state government. In addition, the bill makes several other changes in law, including:

• continuing the requirement that podiatrists adhere to opioid prescribing limitations;
• making the Harm Reduction Grant Program Fund continuously appropriated to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE);
• continuing the Building Substance Use Disorder Treatment Capacity in Underserved Areas Grant Program indefinitely and repealing its July 1, 2024, repeal date;
• requiring the Perinatal Substance Use Data Linkage Project to use additional data sources from state-administered programs when examining issues related to pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders and their infants;
• continuing the public awareness campaign about safe storage of opioid medication beyond the program's September 1, 2024, repeal date;
• requiring state and private prisons to provide at least two doses of an opioid reversal medication upon release to individuals that were treated for opioid use disorder while in custody, as funding and supplies allow; and
• removing fire stations from the list of safe stations at which an individual can turn in controlled substances without legal liability for possession.

 

Representative Kennedy, bill sponsor, gave opening comments on the bill.

Representative Kennedy explained amendments L.034 (Attachment A), L.036 (Attachment B), L.037 (Attachment C), L.038 (Attachment D), L.039 (Attachment E), L.040 (Attachment F), and L.041 (Attachment G). Committee members asked questions on the amendments.

Representative Kennedy continued to explain amendments L.042 (Attachment H), L.043 (Attachment I), L.044 (Attachment J), L.055 (Attachment K), and L.045 (Attachment L). Committee members asked questions about the amendments.

Representative Kennedy continued to explain L.052 (Attachment M), L.055 (Attachment N), L.046 (Attachment O), L.048 (Attachment P), L.049 (Attachment Q), L.050 (Attachment R), L.051 (Attachment S), and L.056 (Attachment T).

Frank Cornelia, Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified in support of the bill. Butch Lewis, Colorado Providers Association, Colorado Association of Recovery Residents, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Robert Fetsch, Colorado AgrAbility Project, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Rosario Medina, University of Colorado College of Nursing, testified in support of the bill. Maranda Miller, representing Centennial Mental Health Center, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Jessica Krueger, Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in support of the bill. Claire Levy, Boulder County, testified in support of the bill. Commissioner Tamara Pogue, Counties and Commissioners Acting Together, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Beau Carubia, Children's Hospital Colorado, testified to amend the bill. Stephanie Glover, Colorado Access, testified to amend the bill. Zach Zaslow, Children's Hospital Colorado, testified to amend the bill. Becky Miller Updike, Colorado Association of Family and Children’s Agencies, testified in support of the bill. The panel responded to questions from committee members.

Aubrey Hill, Colorado Association for School-Based Health Care, testified in support of the bill. Melissa Eddleman, representing Department of Health Care Policy and Financing answered questions from the committee.

Jose Esquibel, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, answered a question from the committee.

Submitted written testimony can be found in Attachment U.

Ms. Snyder answered a question about L.039 (Attachment E).

Representative Michaelson Jenet and Representative Kennedy gave final comments on the bill.

Committee members made final comments on the bill.