s_jud_2017a_2017-02-13t13:33:37z3 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/13/2017

Location: SCR 352

02:35 PM -- SB17-019



Senator Martinez Humenik, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-019, concerning increasing medication consistency for persons with mental illness in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Senator Martinez Humenik explained the bill and discussed its need.



02:41 PM -- Dr. Patrick Fox, representing the Department of Human Services (DHS), and Ms. Camille Harding, representing the Office of Behavioral Health within DHS, testified on the bill. Dr. Fox explained the reasons for creating the bill. Ms. Harding spoke favorably of Dr. Fox's testimony. They responded to questions from the committee concerning the costs of medication and how the bill's provisions would apply to jails.



02:51 PM -- Ms. Regina Huerter, representing the Behavioral Health Transformation Council, testified in support of the bill. She explained the benefits of the bill.



02:53 PM -- Dr. Sasha Rai, representing the Denver City and County Jail, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Rai explained the management of offenders with mental illness and responded to committee questions.



02:56 PM -- Ms. Moe Keller, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She discussed issues concerning dispensing medication and the benefits of facilities using a shared drug formulary.



02:58 PM -- Mr. Chris Johnson, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the process of working on the bill, and the benefit of the bill's provisions to county jails. He responded to a question concerning the bill's impact on county jails.





03:02 PM



Senator Martinez Humenik told the committee of a situation concerning an offender held in a facility who could not get proper medication. Senator Martinez Humenik distributed amendments L.001 (Attachment C), L.002 (Attachment D), L.003 (Attachment E), L.004 (Attachment F), and L.005 (Attachment G). She responded to questions concerning deadlines included in the bill. Discussion continued on that point.



17SenateJud0213AttachC.pdf 17SenateJud0213AttachD.pdf



17SenateJud0213AttachE.pdf 17SenateJud0213AttachF.pdf



17SenateJud0213AttachG.pdf

03:13 PM



The committee discussed amendment L.004 and possible other amendments. Senator Martinez Humenik provided closing remarks on the bill.