S_HHS_2024A 02/21/2024 10:17:34 AM Committee Summary

Senators Smallwood and Coleman, primary bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-083 which allows authorized facilities, such as a fire station, hospital, or community clinic emergency center, where a parent may relinquish a newborn to install newborn safety devices. This type of device is typically a climate-controlled and electronically-monitored incubator built into a wall on the premises of the facility where an infant can be placed. The bill outlines the requirements for facilities and persons operating the safety devices.

Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions.

Lauren Smith, representing Soul 2 Soul Sisters and Elephant Circle, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mar Galvez Seminario, representing Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Richard Uhrlaub, representing ASRC, CTTA, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dr. Patrice Martin, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

Sara Wagner, representing Colorado Safe Haven for Newborns, testified in support of the bill.

Halle Burke, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Alyssa Hirsch, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Kelly Bernatow, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

Mr. Randy Allen, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Lori Holden, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Shannon Johnson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment A).

The committee recessed.

The committee resumed.

Senator Smallwood provided closing remarks.

Committee members provided closing remarks.

Senators Smallwood and Rodriguez, primary bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-073. Current law defines a small employer eligible for a small group health benefit plan as an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, or association that employs between one and 100 employees. The bill reduces the upper threshold to 50 employees on January 1, 2026.

Michael Conway, representing Division of Insurance, testified to amend the bill.

Adam Fox, representing Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in opposition to the bill.

Lindsey Vigoda, representing Small Business Majority, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

Senators Smallwood and Rodriguez provided closing remarks. The primary bill sponsors shared a handout with the committee (Attachment C).

Committee members provided closing remarks.

Mr. Brandon Arnold, representing Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Kelly Campbell, representing America's Health Insurance Plans, testified in support of the bill.

Hope Stonner, representing Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Stacy Hodgson, representing National Multiple Sclerosis Society, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Patrick Boyle, representing Pharmacy Care Management Association, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Ky Davis, representing RxPlus Pharmacies, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Virginia Gebhart, representing Colorado Foundation for Universal Health Care, testified in support of the bill.

The committee laid the bill over for action only.