H_PHC_2016A 01/26/2016 Committee Summary

01:35 PM -- Presentation from the DHS on the Division of Youth Corrections



Representative Primavera called the meeting to order.



01:37 PM



Reggie Bicha, Executive Director, Department of Human Services, Dr. Robert Werthwein, Director , Office of Children Youth and Families, and Charles Parkins, Director, Division of Youth Corrections (DYC) presented to the committee on the DYC. Director Bicha referenced four handouts that were provided to the committee (Attachments A,B,C, and D), and introduced the topics of discussion.



160126 AttachA.pdf160126 AttachB.pdf160126 AttachC.pdf160126 AttachD.pdf



01:39 PM



Dr. Werthwein explained the youth centered, service oriented reforms in the DYC. He discussed restorative justice practices in DYC. Mr. Parkins further explained the restorative justice approach and gave examples to the committee.











01:41 PM



Dr. Werthwein described seclusion practice and explained that the DYC is working with the ACLU to reform seclusion practices. He noted the changes in seclusion policy, including the change in length of seclusion. Dr. Werthwein talked about training staff in de-escalation. Mr. Parkins elaborated on the staff training, and use of force during altercations.



01:45 PM



Dr. Werthwein explained the needs of juveniles when they re-enter the community. He explained that the DYC staff emphasizes the well being of youth. He discussed DYC's work with the Juvenile Defense Coalition on contraband searches and explained the changes in contraband search policy. Mr. Parkins clarified the strip search process for juveniles.



01:49 PM



The presenters responded to questions from the committee on specific seclusion policies, foster care children in the system, and staff turnover.



01:57 PM -- HB 16-1050



Representative Petterson, sponsor, presented House Bill 1050 to the committee. A research note on the bill was distributed to the committee (Attachment E), and Anne Wallace, Legislative Council Staff, explained the research note process. Representative Petterson explained that the bill creates a task force to address issues related to child care needs for low income parents. She explained that the membership of the task force would include representatives from four state agencies, parents, and service providers. The task force is required to conduct research on barriers to affordable child care, create a report, and recommend legislation. She explained the reasoning behind the fiscal note for the bill.



160126 AttachE.pdf



01:59 PM



Representative Petterson responded to questions from the committee.



02:07 PM -- Chaer Robert, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment F). Ms. Robert responded to questions from the committee.



160126 AttachF.pdf



02:28 PM -- Rich Jones, Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment G). 160126 AttachG.pdf













02:32 PM -- Laurie Harvey, Center for Work Education and Employment, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment H). Ms. Harvey responded to questions from the committee.

160126 AttachH.pdf



02:40 PM -- Louise Myrland, Women's Foundation of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



02:43 PM



Representative Petterson gave concluding remarks on the bill. The committee discussed the bill.

02:49 PM -- HB 16-1037



Representative Windholz, sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1037 to the committee. A research note for the bill was distributed to the committee (Attachment I). The bill is recommended by the Interim Committee to Study the Vocational Rehabilitation of Services to the Blind. Representative Windholz gave data about persons with disabilities in Colorado, including the unemployment rate, average income, and educational attainment for the disabled. She explained the Business Enterprise Program in Colorado.



160126 AttachI.pdf



The bill creates two income tax credits for taxpayers who hire persons with developmental disabilities and persons who are blind or visually impaired and are referred for employment by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Rep. Windholz detailed the two income tax credits offered by the bill, which are as follows:

• a tax credit for employee wages equal to 50 percent of the gross wages of a qualifying employee in the first three months of continuous employment, and 30 percent of the gross wages of a qualified employee for the following nine months of continuous employment; and,
• a tax credit for software and hardware costs equal to a share of costs of the maintenance, repair, and upgrade of software or hardware that assists a qualifying employee in performing his or her job as follows: 75 percent of the cost incurred in the first year, 50 percent the second year, and 25 percent the third year.

Both credits are nonrefundable and available for three years beginning in the tax year 2016. Both credits are limited to a taxpayers income liability, and an amount of the credit in the excess of the liability may be carried forward up to five years. This bill would reinstate statute from 2008, which was a prior tax credit.



02:52 PM



Representative Windholz responded to questions from the committee about the bill.



02:58 PM -- Cynde Vaughn, Colorado Deaf-Blind Task Force, testified in support of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.



03:10 PM -- Dan Burke, National Federation of the Blind, testified in support of the bill.



03:15 PM -- Brent Batron, National Federation of the Blind, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



03:17 PM -- Marijo Rymer, The Arc of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.





03:23 PM



Representative Primavera and Representative Windholz discussed a conceptual amendment to the bill.

03:26 PM



Rep. Windholz gave concluding remarks on the bill. Committee members discussed the bill.

03:35 PM



The committee adjourned.