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h_jud_2018a_2018-05-08t13:51:41z3 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB18-263

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date May 8, 2018      
Location HCR 0112



SB18-263 - Postponed Indefinitely

03:05:45 PM  

Representative Singer, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-263, concerning the creation of a pilot program to allow for court approval of treatment medications in jails.  Representative Singer explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need.  Committee members received a fact sheet supporting the bill (Attachment B), and the written testimony of Michael Stafford (Attachment C) and Tanya Belknap (Attachment D).

03:10:28 PM  

Dr. Patricia Westmoreland, representing the Colorado Psychiatric Association, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Sasha Rai, representing the Denver County Jail, testified in support of SB 18-263. Dr. Rai explained how those in jail with mental health issues compound their circumstances without medication. He responded to questions regarding how the bill will help with the processing of such individuals. Ms. Dea Wheeler, representing Boulder County, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Wheeler discussed assaults and suicide attempts by those in county jail, and explained how the administration of medication would help to ameliorate such situations. Ms. Jackie Zheleznyak, representing Denver Health, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the need to provide psychiatric and mental health services to those in jail on a pilot basis.  Ms. Wheeler responded to questions regarding the services to be provided under the pilot program created by the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the merits of providing mental health services on an involuntary basis.

03:25:44 PM  

Mr. Doug Wilson, State Public Defender, testified in opposition to the bill. Committee members received a handout on the side effects of Haldol (Attachment E). Mr. Wilson explained the circumstances under which the detainees to be involuntarily treated under SB 18-263 would undergo the treatment. Ms. Gina Shimeall, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Shimeall discussed the research surrounding forced medication in a non-therapeutic environment, and the difference between treatment in a jail and a hospital. Ms. Carrie Thompson, representing the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Thompson explained that the involuntary treatment to be provided under the bill should be in a hospital setting. Ms. Valerie Schlect, representing the Colorado Cross-disability Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Schlect discussed the side effects of psychiatric medications, which may be unsafe in a jail setting. She also discussed the potential outcomes of misdiagnoses. Committee members received a spreadsheet showing data on certain criminal cases involving mental health issues (Attachment F). Mr. Wilson responded to questions regarding potential constitutional issues associated with involuntary mental health treatment. Discussion ensued about prioritizing the acute population.

03:40:46 PM  

Ms. Camille Harding, representing the Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Cristen Bates representing the Department of Human Services and Mr. Michael Stafford, representing the City and County of Denver, also testified in support of the bill.

03:47:07 PM  

Representative Singer explained the effect of amendment L.004 (Attachment G).



03:47:48 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.004
Moved Salazar
Seconded Melton
Benavidez
Carver
Herod
Lundeen
Melton
Roberts
Weissman
Willett
Wist
Salazar
Lee
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:47:49 PM  

Representative Singer explained the effect of amendment L.005 (Attachment H).



03:48:26 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.005
Moved Salazar
Seconded Melton
Benavidez
Carver
Herod
Lundeen
Melton
Roberts
Weissman
Willett
Wist
Salazar
Lee
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


03:50:10 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 18-263, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Willett
Seconded Melton
Benavidez No
Carver No
Herod Yes
Lundeen Yes
Melton No
Roberts No
Weissman No
Willett Yes
Wist No
Salazar No
Lee No
YES: 3   NO: 8   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL


03:51:42 PM
Motion Postpone Senate Bill 18-263 indefinitely.
Moved Salazar
Seconded Melton
Benavidez Yes
Carver Yes
Herod Yes
Lundeen Yes
Melton Yes
Roberts Yes
Weissman Yes
Willett No
Wist Yes
Salazar Yes
Lee Yes
Final YES: 10   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS






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