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S_HHS_2023A 04/05/2023 10:53:57 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date 04/05/2023
Attendance
Buckner *
Cutter X
Jaquez Lewis X
Mullica X
Rich X
Smallwood X
Will X
Ginal X
Fields X
Time 10:53:57 AM to 01:52:42 PM
Place SCR 357
This Meeting was called to order by Fields
This Report was prepared by Jerard Brown
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB23-1024 Lay Over
SB23-210 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar
HB23-1204 Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar

HB23-1024 - Lay Over

11:00:26 AM  
Senator Exum and
Senator Van Winkle, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1024
concerning establishing several measures that protect the best interests
of a child or youth and that will not hinder reunification with the child's
or youth's family when the child or youth has been temporarily placed outside
the family home with a relative or kin.
11:00:39 AM  
Mr. Kendall Marlowe,
representing The Kempe Foundation, testified in support of the bill.




Shawna Geiger,
representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support
of the bill. Ms. Geiger distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment
A).




Byron Conway,
representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support
of the bill. Mr. Conway distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment
B).




Melissa Thompson,
representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support
of the bill.




Committee members
asked the panel questions.
11:23:19 AM  
Mr. Lee Freeman,
representing Foster Alight, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Freeman
distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment C).




Tim Eirich, representing
themself, testified to amend the bill.




Sara Stovall,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.




Shari Shink, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill.




Committee members
asked the panel questions.
11:38:31 AM  
Mrs. Heather Gonzales,
representing themself, testified to amend the bill.




Jody Britton,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.




Mrs. Erica Heddings,
representing themself, testified to amend the bill.




Patricia Lind,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.




Committee members
asked the panel questions.
11:52:00 AM  
Mrs. Kerry ONeill,
representing themself, testified to amend the bill.




Ms. Kayla Beck,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.




Ms. Lindsay Gilchrist,
representing CHAMPS Colorado, testified to amend the bill.




Mrs. Jody Fountain,
representing themself, testified to amend the bill.




Committee members
asked the panel questions.
12:04:37 PM  
Ashley Chase, representing
the Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill.




Jennifer Mullenbach,
representing the Jefferson County Commissioners and Colorado Counties Incorporated,
testified in support of the bill.




Bonnie Lloyd,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.




Renee Bernhard,
representing Foster Source, was available to answer committee questions.

12:14:38 PM  
Monica Denny, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill.




Iris Flores, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill.




Alicia Johansen,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
12:24:46 PM  
Jill Cohen, representing
Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill.




Ashlee Arcilla,
representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support
of the bill.




Melanie Jordan,
representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support
of the bill.




Martha Wilson,
representing herself, testified in support of the bill.




Committee members
asked the panel questions.




Additional written
testimony can be found in Attachment D.

12:40:31 PM  
The committee recessed.
12:53:24 PM  
The committee resumed
and the bill was laid over for action only.



SB23-210 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar


12:54:01 PM  
Senator Exum, prime bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-210, concerning repealing regional Division of Youth Services community boards and refers grievances filed against county Departments of Human Services to the state’s Child Protection Ombudsman Office.
12:57:26 PM  
Anders Jacobson,
representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support
of the bill.




Chelsey Hall,
representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support
of the bill.




Amanda Pennington,
representing Office of the Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman, testified
in support of the bill.




Samantha Fields,
representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support
of the bill.




Committee members
asked the panel questions.
01:19:15 PM  
Jamie Ulrich, representing
Weld County Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.




Additional written
testimony can be found in Attachment E.
01:24:54 PM  
Senator Exum explained
amendment L.001 (Attachment F).


01:25:16 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment F).
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Buckner Excused
Cutter
Jaquez Lewis
Mullica
Rich
Smallwood
Will
Ginal
Fields
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


01:25:53 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 23-210, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Buckner Yes
Cutter Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Mullica Excused
Rich Yes
Smallwood Yes
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 8   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB23-1204 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar


01:26:00 PM  
Senator Priola, prime bill sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1204 concerning requiring a certifying body, approved by the Behavioral Health Administration, to approve recovery residencies’ client discharge and transfer policies. Policies are required to include documentation, referral, and follow-up. The bill also requires the certifying body to establish a fair and accessible grievance and appeals process for clients to appeal a discharge or transfer decision made by recovery residences. Residences and clients may file an appeal of any decision made by the certifying body with the Department of Personnel and Administration and seek judicial review.
01:28:10 PM  
Mr. Thomas Hernandez,
representing Tribe Recovery Homes, testified in support of the bill.





Mr. Devon Peavy, representing Sobriety House, Inc, testified in support
of the bill.




Ms. Francesca  Maes, representing Colorado Center for Aging, testified
in support of the bill.




Mr. Geno Shvedov, representing Hazelbrook Sober Living and Recovery, testified
in support of the bill.




Ms. Breeah Kinsella, representing Colorado Providers Association, testified
in support of the bill.




Committee members asked the panel questions.

01:49:44 PM  
Committee members provided closing remarks.


01:52:31 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 23-1204 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Buckner Yes
Cutter Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Mullica Yes
Rich Yes
Smallwood Yes
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


01:52:42 PM   The committee adjourned.