Senator Bridges and Senator Simpson, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-181, which requires the Behavioral Health Administration in the Department of Human Services to create and begin implementing a Behavioral Health Care Provider Workforce Plan by September 1, 2022. The bill provides detail on the workforce plan, including requirements to work with the Department of Higher Education, institutions of higher education, and community colleges to provide job shadowing, internship, incentives, loan repayment, scholarships, marketing, and other programs to increase the behavioral health workforce. The plan also must include expanding the peer support professional workforce; aligning workforce standards, and raising awareness among providers of opportunities to invest and strengthen their behavioral health care staff. Committee members asked questions of the sponsors.

Frank Cornelia, representing the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified in support of the bill.

Summer Gathercole, representing the Behavioral Health Administration, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ronnie Vasquez, representing Mental Health Partners, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Christine Cork, representing Mental Health Partners, testified in support of the bill. Amy Lyden-Cardinal, representing the Jefferson Center for Mental Health, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Michael Dow, representing Mental Health Partners, testified in support of the bill. Committee members asked questions of the panel.

Mr. Andrew Rose, representing the Colorado Medicaid Behavioral Health Provider Network, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Ari Hoffman, representing the Integrated Care Institute, testified to amend the bill.

Mr. Jacob Merrion, representing the Colorado Providers Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Breeah Kinsella, representing the Colorado Providers Association, testified in support of the bill. Steve Holloway, representing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Michael Macklin, representing the Colorado Community College System, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Bridges and Senator Simpson introduced and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment D).