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S_HHS_2024A 04/18/2024 02:04:30 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date 04/18/2024
Attendance
Cutter X
Jaquez Lewis X
Lundeen *
Michaelson Jenet X
Mullica *
Rich X
Will X
Ginal *
Fields X
Time 02:04:30 PM to 08:14:29 PM
Place SCR 357
This Meeting was called to order by Fields
This Report was prepared by Jerard Brown
Hearing Items Action Taken
SB24-191 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar
HB24-1176 Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations
SB24-200 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB24-202 Referred to the Committee of the Whole
HB24-1028 Postponed Indefinitely

SB24-191 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar


02:06:32 PM  
Senators Zenzinger and Simpson, primary bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-191, which requires the Department of Human Services to oversee the operation of host home programs. The bill sets requirements for organizations seeking to operate a host home program and requirements for individuals operating host homes through a host home program.
02:12:57 PM  
Ms. Kippi Clausen,
representing CO Rural Collaborative, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Trevor Williams, representing Colorado Department of Human Services,
was available to answer committee questions.
02:13:37 PM  
Ms. Mercedes Wright, representing CASA of the 7th Judicial District, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Judy McNeilsmith, representing La Puente Home, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Dennis Desparrois, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, was available to answer committee questions.

02:18:29 PM  
Senator Zenzinger introduced and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment A).
02:20:09 PM  
Committee members discussed the amendment.


02:20:53 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A).
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Cutter
Jaquez Lewis
Lundeen
Michaelson Jenet
Mullica
Rich
Will
Ginal
Fields
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
02:21:13 PM  
Senator Zenzinger introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment B).


02:22:34 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment B).
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Cutter
Jaquez Lewis
Lundeen
Michaelson Jenet
Mullica
Rich
Will
Ginal
Fields
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


02:23:30 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 24-191, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Cutter Yes
Jaquez Lewis Excused
Lundeen Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Mullica Yes
Rich Yes
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 8   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1176 - Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations


02:24:33 PM  
Senators Buckner and Fields, primary bill sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1176, which expands the scope of the Behavioral Health-Care Continuum Gap Grant Program to include awarding a community investment grant for a new capital construction project.

Committee members provided comments to the bill sponsors.

02:31:49 PM  
Debbie Stafford,
representing Aurora Mental Health and Recovery, testified in support of
the bill.



Ms. Bev Stables, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified in support
of the bill.



Edie Sonn, representing Colorado Behavioral Health Care Council, testified
in support of the bill.



Ryan Templeton, representing Behavioral Health Adminsitration, was available
to answer committee questions.
02:38:55 PM  
Marla Fernandez,
representing themself, testified in opposition of the bill.



Committee members asked the panel questions.




Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment C).
02:43:06 PM  
Senator Buckner introduced and explained amendment L.002 (Attachment D).


02:43:37 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment D).
Moved Fields
Seconded
Cutter
Jaquez Lewis Excused
Lundeen
Michaelson Jenet
Mullica
Rich
Will
Ginal
Fields
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
02:44:42 PM  
The bill sponsors provided closing remarks.


02:48:22 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 24-1176, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Fields
Seconded
Cutter Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Lundeen No
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Mullica Yes
Rich No
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB24-200 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole

02:48:48 PM  
Senators Michaelson Jenet and Coleman, primary bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-200, which by January 1st of every year, requires the Department of Human Services (CDHS) to update the department’s annual equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) report in collaboration with county departments. This includes reporting on the state’s progress in addressing data challenges in the child welfare case management system and progress in training child welfare staff on demographic data collection. The CDHS must also strengthen EDI training for child welfare staff and evaluate the impact of the trainings, and may extend the trainings to other child welfare agencies and entities. Any changes to the child welfare allocation funding model must consider resources to improve equitable outcomes.
02:56:53 PM  
Mollie Warren, representing Boulder County, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Paul Gamino, representing Larimer County Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Jamie Ulrich, representing Weld County, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

03:08:07 PM  
Lauren Smith, representing Soul 2 Soul Sisters and Elephant Circle, testified to amend the bill.

Ms. Heather Allan, representing The Kempe Foundation, testified in support of the bill.

Meighen Lovelace, representing Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

03:17:24 PM  
Savannah Mantele,
representing Adams County Human Services, was available for questions only.



Ms. Yolanda  Arredondo, representing Colorado Department of Human
Services, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel,
testified in support of the bill.
03:23:37 PM  
Ashley Jellison,
representing Colorado Children's Alliance, testified in support of the
bill.



Ashley Chase, representing Office of the Child's Representative, testified
in support of the bill.



MJ Coleman Jackson, representing themself, testified in support of the
bill.



Ms. Marla Fernandez, representing themself, was available to answer committee
questions.




Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment E).
03:33:55 PM  
Senator Michaelson Jenet introduced and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment F).


03:34:26 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment F).
Moved Michaelson Jenet
Seconded
Cutter
Jaquez Lewis
Lundeen
Michaelson Jenet
Mullica
Rich
Will
Ginal
Fields
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:34:52 PM  
Senator Michaelson Jenet introduced and explained amendment L.005 (Attachment G).


03:35:24 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment G).
Moved Michaelson Jenet
Seconded
Cutter
Jaquez Lewis
Lundeen
Michaelson Jenet
Mullica
Rich
Will
Ginal
Fields
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:35:41 PM  
The bill sponsors provided closing remarks.


03:37:42 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 24-200, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Michaelson Jenet
Seconded
Cutter Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Lundeen Excused
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Mullica Yes
Rich No
Will No
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 2   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB24-202 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole


03:37:54 PM  
Senator Fields, primary
bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 24-202. Currently, when a child is
placed with a public agency, a court order must require the child’s parent
to pay a fee that covers the costs of a guardian ad litem and residential
care for the child, with the fee based on their ability to pay. The bill
removes the requirement for a court order for this fee, and instead allows
a delegate child support enforcement unit to impose the fee when approved
by a county child welfare unit. It also removes the requirement that the
fee be based on the parent’s ability to pay and that the payment must
cover the costs of a guardian ad litem.



The bill also affects the assignment of child support for foster care.
Current law requires the Department of Human Services to reimburse for
child support for the out-of-home placement costs for children placed in
foster care. The bill restricts these assignments to current child support
obligations only, excluding previously accrued amounts. Additionally, a
child support enforcement unit can enforce these child support obligations,
if a county child welfare unit determines a referral is appropriate.
03:43:47 PM  
Ms. Korey Elger, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Ashley Chase, representing Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill.

Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Larry Desbien, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

04:01:27 PM  
Marla Fernandez,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

04:04:01 PM  
The primary bill sponsor provided closing remarks.


04:05:41 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 24-202 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Fields
Seconded
Cutter Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Lundeen Excused
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Mullica Yes
Rich No
Will No
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 2   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1028 - Postponed Indefinitely


04:05:50 PM  
The committee recessed.
04:07:28 PM  
The committee resumed.
04:09:25 PM  
Senator Priola, primary
bill sponsor, presented House Bill 24-1028, which permits the governing
board of a municipality to authorize overdose prevention centers within
their boundaries. Overdose prevention centers provide space for individuals
to use controlled substances under the supervision of healthcare professionals
or other trained staff that can provide life-saving treatment during an
overdose, and other harm reduction services.



Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions.

04:15:12 PM  
Adam Turk, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police - Greeley Police Department, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

04:26:38 PM  
Mike Wilson, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Nancy Friedland, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Eva Chan, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ginny Burton, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

04:42:28 PM  
Matthew Server, representing Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in opposition to the bill.

Michelle Steeb, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

June Churchill, representing Greater Denver Transit, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Ms. Marla Fernandez, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Greg Sadar, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police - Commerce City Police Department, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

05:11:47 PM  
Ms. Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
05:14:29 PM  
Lisi Owen, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. MJ Coleman Jackson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions

05:23:25 PM  
Dr. Jody Ryan, representing WellPower, testified in support of the bill.

Molly McKinley, representing Denver Streets Partnership, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

05:30:33 PM  
Dr. Katherine LeMasters, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Katrina Zamudio, representing Young Invincibles, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Kyle Giddings, representing Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Christopher Bonham, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Brian Jimenez Fraile, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

05:42:20 PM  
Joseph Mitchell, representing Young Invincibles, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Ruth Carlock, representing The Brain Injury Association of Maryland, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Michael Neil, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Steven Haden, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

05:53:46 PM  
Ean Tafoya, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Betsy Craft, representing Colorado Drug Policy Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Tonya Wheeler, representing Advocates for Recovery, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Dave Wasserman, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Camden Sharkey, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

06:10:11 PM  
Ms. Pamela Clifton, representing Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Colleen Casper, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Stephanie Stewart, representing Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

Hannan Braun, representing Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

06:31:18 PM  
Lisa Peterson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Barrett Montgomery, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Vivian Aranda-Hughes, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Breeah Kinsella, representing Colorado Providers Association, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

07:01:24 PM  
Bailey Kramer, representing Colorado Mental Wellness Network, testified in support of the bill.

Lisa Raville, representing Harm Reduction Action Center, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Brian Erickson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Vincent Atchity, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

07:29:07 PM  
Mx. Dana Steiner,
representing Colorado Freedom Fund, testified in support of the bill.



Mx. Z Williams, representing Bread and Roses, testified in support of the
bill.





Ms. Barb Cardell, representing Colorado Organizations and Individuals Responding
to HIV/AIDS and US Positive Women's Network, testified in support of the
bill.



Mr. Dennis Pales, representing Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine,
testified in support of the bill.



Shannon Bucci, representing themself, was available to answer committee
questions.



Committee members asked the panel questions.
07:46:14 PM  
Richard Woodruff,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Woodruff provided a handout to the committee (Attachment H).



Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment
I).
07:50:15 PM  
The primary bill sponsor provided closing remarks.
07:54:52 PM  
Committee members provided closing remarks.


08:14:08 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 24-1028 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Cutter Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Lundeen No
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Mullica No
Rich No
Will No
Ginal No
Fields Yes
YES: 4   NO: 5   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL


08:14:21 PM
Motion Postpone House Bill 24-1028 indefinitely using a reversal of the previous roll call. There was no objection to the use of the reverse roll call, therefore, the bill was postponed indefinitely.
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Cutter No
Jaquez Lewis No
Lundeen Yes
Michaelson Jenet No
Mullica Yes
Rich Yes
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields No
Final YES: 5   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


08:14:29 PM   The committee adjourned.