Skip to main content
Bill Summary for Bill Number HB17-1229 Date: 04/12/2017
Location: SCR 354
Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB17-1229

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, LABOR, & TECHNOLOGY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.003. The motion failed on a vote
Refer House Bill 17-1229 to the Committee of the W
FAIL
PASS


04:00 PM -- HB 17-1229

Senator Todd introduced House Bill 17-1229, concerning workers' compensation for mental impairment. The bill makes changes to workers' compensation law. It requires mental impairment claims to be proven by evidence supported by the testimony of a licensed psychiatrist, rather than a physician or a psychologist. The bill defines "psychologically traumatic event" as one generally outside of a worker's usual experience that would evoke significant symptoms of distress to a worker in similar circumstances, or an event within a worker's usual experience only when the worker is diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist.

04:05 PM --
Dr. John Nicoletti, Colorado Psychological Association, spoke in favor of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:09 PM --
Kevin Bommer, Colorado Municipal League, spoke in favor of the bill.

04:17 PM --
Frank Cavanaugh, Colorado Self Insured Association, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:19 PM --
Nick Colglazier, Colorado Competitive Council, spoke in favor of the bill.

04:28 PM --
Terry Campbell, Association of Colorado State Patrol Professionals, spoke in favor of the bill.

04:28 PM --
Ron Sloan, Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, spoke in favor of the bill.

04:31 PM --
Sheriff Jim Crone, County Sheriffs of Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill.

04:35 PM --
Timothy Dienst, Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill.

04:39 PM --
Howard Paul, Colorado Search and Rescue, spoke in favor of the bill.

04:43 PM --
Sean Harper, Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, spoke in favor of the bill.

04:47 PM --
Edie Sonn, Pinnacol Assurance, spoke in favor of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

04:51 PM --
Harvey Flewelling, Pinnacol Assurance, spoke in favor of the bill.

04:55 PM

Ms. Sonn and Mr. Flewelling continued to respond to questions from the committee.

05:09 PM

Senators Cooke and Todd made closing comments on the merits of the bill. Senator Todd discussed amendment L.003 (Attachment C).


170412 AttachC.pdf170412 AttachC.pdf


BILL: HB17-1229
TIME: 05:11:52 PM
MOVED: Neville T.
MOTION: Adopt amendment L.003. The motion failed on a vote of 3-4.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Jahn
No
Kefalas
No
Priola
Yes
Smallwood
Yes
Williams A.
No
Neville T.
Yes
Tate
No
YES: 3 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL



BILL: HB17-1229
TIME: 05:13:22 PM
MOVED: Kefalas
MOTION: Refer House Bill 17-1229 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 6-1. The motion passed on a vote of 6-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Jahn
Yes
Kefalas
Yes
Priola
Yes
Smallwood
Yes
Williams A.
Yes
Neville T.
No
Tate
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS