I_OpioidSubstance_2019A 10/29/2019 10:38:11 AM Committee Summary

Senator Pettersen called the meeting to order.  An agenda and packet of committee bills and fiscal notes was distributed to committee members (Attachments A and B).  

-changes to the prescription monitoring
date program (PDMP).

Yelana Love, OLLS, described Bill #2, regarding substance use disorder harm reduction.  The bill provisions include:

-changes to naloxone use policies;  

-allowing pharmacies to sell syringes;

-changes to syringe access program regulations; and

-increasing funding to local harm reduction programs.



Senator Pettersen and Representative Kennedy commented on the contents of Bill #2.  

Shelby Ross, OLLS, described Bill #3 regarding substance use disorder in the criminal justice system.  The bill provisions include:

-increasing the availability of medication-assisted treatment in jails and prisons and upon release;

-allowing disposal of controlled substances at safe stations; and

-changing record sealing requirements.



Representative Herod and Senator Pettersen commented on outstanding issues and stakeholder involvement regarding Bill #3.  Jose Esquibel and Rob Valuck, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, responded to committee questions about the bill.  

Brita Darling, OLLS, described Bill #4 concerning treatment for substance use disorders.  The provisions of the bill include:  

-adjusting the community needs assessment process;

-requiring insurance carriers to cover certain substance use disorder treatments;

-increasing funding to health care provider loan programs;

-allowing pharmacies to recieve an enhanced dispensing fee;

-requiring the Department of Human Services to study child care availability for parents reciving treatment;

-appropriating funding to the Center for Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Support Strategies to employ grant writers; and

-requiring insurance carriers to report certain data to the Commissioner of Insurance.



Senator Pettersen commented on the contents of Bill #4.  Ms. Darling responded to committee questions

Ms. Love described Bill #5 regarding substance use disorder recovery.  The provisions of the bill include:

-increasing funding for peer coaching training;

-continuing the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Committee for two additional years;

-requiring the Substance Abuse Trend and Response Task Force to review state legislation and submit policy recommendations regarding substance use disorders;

-modifying how child abuse and neglect or dependency is determined;

-requiring additional research into the substance use disorder treatment system in Colorado; and

-creating a grant program for recovery community organizations.

Ms. Love and Representative Herod discussed a potential amendment to Bill #5.  Ms. Love described amendments 2 and 3 to Bill #5 (Attachments P and Q).

Senator Pettersen recessed the committee.

Senator Pettersen called the meeting back to order.

Dr. Jonathan Clapp, Colorado Pain Society and Colorado Medical Society, testified regarding Bill #1, and specifically pain psychology treatment and access to the PDMP.  

Lisa Raville, Harm Reduction Action Center and Colorado Syringe Access Providers Coalition, testified regarding Bill #1, and specifically naloxone's inclusion on the PDMP.  Representative Kennedy commented on the issue and responded to committee questions.

Heather Thompson, Elephant Circle, testified regarding Bill #5, and specifically the toxicology requirement included in the Colorado Children's Code.  She discussed her concerns about the data linkage project in Bill #5.

Indra Lusero, Elephant Circle, testified regarding Bill #5, and specifically the stigma pregnant women with substance use disorders face.  She discussed the downfalls of opening families to investigations for abuse and neglect.  Ms. Lusero responded to questions.

Karla Gonzales, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, testified regarding Bill #5, and specifically her concerns about the data linkage provision in the bill.  She questioned the value of data that is collected only from low-income populations.

Senator Pettersen discussed the process to approve the draft bills.  She also discussed two letters that will be sent from the committee to Colorado's Congressional delegation and to the Joint Budget Committee.

Robert Conklin, representing himself, testified regarding his wife's experience as a chronic pain patient.

Senator Pettersen recessed the meeting.

Senator Pettersen called the meeting back to order.

Amendments 6 and 7 to Bill #1 were distributed to committee members (Attachments R and S).

Representatives Kennedy and Herod and Senators Priola and Winter chose to prime sponsor Bill #1.  Senators Pettersen and Donovan agreed to cosponsor the bill.

Representatives Kennedy and Herod and Senators Pettersen and Priola chose to prime sponsor Bill #2.

Representative Herod and Senators Donovan and Priola chose to prime sponsor Bill #3.   Senator Pettersen and Representative Kennedy agreed to cosponsor the bill.

Senators Winter and Pettersen and Representatives Wilson and Buentello chose to prime sponsor Bill #4.  Senators Priola and Donovan and Representatives Herod and Kennedy agreed to cosponsor the bill.  

Amendment 1 to Bill #5 was distributed to committee members (Attachment T).

Senators Pettersen and Priola and Representatives Buentello and Herod chose to prime sponsor Bill #5.  Represenative Kennedy agreed to cosponsor the bill.

Ms. Love discussed the safety and petition clauses of the bills.

Committee members discussed sending a letter to the Joint Budget Committee and to the Colorado Congressional delegation. Committee members commented on possible opioid settlement funds.  

Senator Pettersen announced a change in sponsorship for Bill #3.  Representative Kennedy will be the prime sponsor of the bill with Representative Herod.