S_JUD_2021A 05/24/2021 11:52:05 AM Committee Summary

Senators Fields and Gonzales, co-prime sponsors, explained House Bill 21-1251 concerning the appropriate use of ketamine upon a person in a prehospital setting.  They discussed the need for the bill and answered questions about weight assessment, training, excited delirium, and the definition of justifiable medical emergency. 

Committee members further inquired about law enforcement and the differences between providing information and unduly influencing, as defined in the bill.  Further discussion ensued about de-escalation. 

Mr. Randy Kuykendall, representing Co. Dept. of Public Health, made himself available to answer committee questions. He responded to questions about standards, training, and weight estimations.

Ms. Kimberly Fear, representing Co. Dept. of Public Health, was available to answer committee questions about the fiscal impact of the bill. 

Dr. Jeff Beckman, representing CDPHE, was available to answer committee questions.

Mr. Ronald Sloan, representing Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, testified in opposition to the bill.  He answered committee questions about ketamine, duty to intervene, de-escalation, and levying criminal sanctions on law enforcement officers. 

Committee discussion continued about undue influence and free speech. 

Fire Chief Don Lombardi, representing Colorado State Fire Chiefs, testified in opposition to the bill. He answered questions about communication between law enforcement and fire fighters, ketamine, standing orders, undue influence, and other weight-based medications. 

Anita Springsteen, representing self, testified to amend the bill.  She answered questions about dosage. 

Mr. Mack Thompson, representing Denver Health, testified to amend the bill. He answered questions about administering ketamine.

Ms. Yolanda Amezcua, representing Denver Health, testified to amend the bill. She discussed training and standards and responded to questions about ketamine use in the field. 

Jeremiah Axtell, representing self, testified to amend the bill.

Dr. Kevin McVaney, representing Denver Health, testified to amend the bill.  He answered questions about pre-hospital agitation, sedation, excited delirium, alternatives to ketamine, and emergency care systems.  He also discussed a white paper on the topic and answered questions about it. 

Committee discussion followed about dosage and ketamine use outside of hospital settings. 

Mrs. Theresa Dougherty, representing self, testified to amend the bill.

Mr David Hagan, representing self, testified to amend the bill.

Chief Gary Bryskiewicz, representing Denver Health, testified to amend the bill.  He answered questions about excited delirium and subduing patients. 

Mongo Frank Sturgell, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Sheriff Tyler Brown, representing the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, testified to amend the bill.

Written testimony about House Bill 21-1251 can be found in Attachment A. 

Senator Gonzales distributed and introduced Amendment L. 036 (Attachment B) regarding verbal orders.

Senator Gonzales distributed and explained Amendment L.037 (Attachment C) about reports and appointments. 

Senator Gardner distributed Amendment L.031 (Attachment D).  Shelby Ross, Office of Legislative Legal Services, explained that the amendment makes technical changes. 

The bill sponsors agreed to discuss the proposed changes with stakeholders, and Senator Gardner withdrew his motion. 

Senator Gardner distributed and discussed Amendments L. 032 and L.033 (Attachments E and F) but withdrew them before a motion was made.  

Senator Gardner distributed and explained Amendent L. 034 (Attachment G) about undue influence.

Senator Gardner distributed and explained Amendment L.035 (Attachment H) about POST requirements. 

Discussion followed about conflicts with House Bill 21-1250, measures to address law enforcement accountability. 

Committee members discussed reasons for supporting or opposing the bill. 

The bill sponsors made closing remarks.