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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The committee recessed.

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.

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.

Jamie Ulrich, representing
Weld County Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.



Additional written
testimony can be found in Attachment E.

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.

Committee members provided closing remarks.