H_PBH_2023A 02/07/2023 01:32:06 PM Committee Summary

Representative Young and Representative Bradfield, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1067, concerning creation of a family and community intervener program to support children experiencing deafblindness.  The bill creates the Family and Community Intervener Program to support deafblind children and their families by providing the services of an intervener trained in deafblindness, building language and communication skills, and intervention strategies.

By October 1, 2023, the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind within the Colorado Department of Human Services must contract with a program manager to oversee the program and interveners.  Starting in 2025, upon approval of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the program must provide intervener services to eligible children through the Community First Option under Medicaid.

Megan Bowser, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She read a statement from Michele Williers in support of the bill.

Kiera Zink, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She was joined by her daughter, Jordy.

Ophelia Caballero, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Garin Vorthmann, representing the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, testified in support of the bill.

Christy Blakely, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

The committee came back to order.

Representative Michaelson Jenet responded to questions from the committee.

Jessica Francois, representing Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Natalie Perez, representing Stand For Children, testified in support of the bill.

Elizabeth Selander, representing Children’s Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Leslie Colwell, representing Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.

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

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Valdamar Archuleta, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Cathy Timm, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Erin Lee, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Kristine McLaughlin, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes Reyes, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Bradley Jackson, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Angela Kimball, representing Inseparable, testified in support of the bill.

Steven Haden, representing Envision:You, testified in support of the bill.

Elizabeth Armstrong, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Donna LaBelle, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Judy Papenfuss, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Monica Feder, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Ruth Aponte, representing the American Academy of Pediatrics - Colorado Chapter, testified in support of the bill.

Raul Martinez-Lozano, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Nicholas Martinez, representing Transform Education Now, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Heather Muller, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Carolyn Martin, representing the Christian Home Educators of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

DeeDee Vicino, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jody Nickerson, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Darcy Schoening, representing Moms for Liberty, testified in opposition to the bill.

Kristy Davis, representing Moms for Liberty, testified in opposition to the bill.

Nancy Eason, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

LaurenAnne Flahive, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Charity McPike, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Livia Talley, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mickie Nuffer, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Kristen Muzzy, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Stephanie Hancock, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Katherine Adams, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Cass Walton, representing
the Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership, testified to amend the bill.



Elizabeth Carpenter, representing herself, testified to amend the bill.



Ben Parish, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



Andrew Rose, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



Su Ryden, representing the American Association of University Women of
Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



Nicole Johnston, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Written testimony
was provided to the committee (Attachment E).

Representative Michaelson Jenet made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.