86AA9A2BB6B9734C8725880D008025C4 Hearing Summary

Representative Amabile and Representative McCluskie, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 12-1256 concerning modifications to civil involuntary commitment statutes for persons with mental health disorders. The bill makes numerous changes to the state’s involuntary commitment system, including transfers duties relating to the care and treatment of persons with mental health disorders from the Office of Behavioral Health to the Behavioral Health Administration in the Department of Human Services. It creates new procedures relating to 72-hour treatment and evaluation of a person appearing to have a mental health crisis, as well as procedures to certify short-term or long-term care and treatment of a person who has a mental health crisis. The bill also outlines processes for engaging with an individual that may be experiencing a behavioral health crisis including transport, oversight, care, and access to legal representation.

Commissioner Tamara Pogue, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Allison Trop, representing the Colorado Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, testified to amend the bill.

Megan Axelrod, representing the Colorado Hospital Association, testified in a monitor position on the bill.

Frank Cornelia, representing the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified in a monitor position on the bill.

Lauren Snyder, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

David Glenn, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Evan Silverman, representing self, testified in support of the bill. He provided a written statement to the committee (Attachment I).

Morgan Levy, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Jonathan Culwell, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Damian Cucinell, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Jennifer Hill, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Allyn Krzymowski, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Meghan Baker, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Melissa Petrone Zavaras, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Carrie Gorham, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Bonita Bowman, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Colleen Casper, representing the Colorado Nurses Association, testified in support of the bill.

Aimee Techau, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Joseph Bowers, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Gregory King, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Patricia Westmoreland, representing the Colorado Psychiatric Society, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Karen Rice, representing the Colorado Psychiatric Society, testified in support of the bill.

Ryan Templeton, representing the Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health, responded to committee questions.

Representative Amabile responded to questions from the committee.

Written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment J).

Representative Amabile explained amendment L.001 (Attachment K).

Representative Amabile explained amendment L.002 (Attachment L).

Representative Amabile explained amendment L.003 (Attachment M).  Representative Amabile responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Amabile explained amendment L.004 (Attachment N).

Representative Amabile explained amendment L.005 (Attachment O).

Representative Amabile explained amendment L.006 (Attachment P).

Representative Amabile explained amendment L.007 (Attachment Q).

Representative McCluskie and Representative Amabile provided concluding remarks on the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.