The committee recessed.

The committee resumed.

Senator Priola, primary bill sponsor, presented House Bill 24-1037 which clarifies that harm reduction centers may provide drug testing services and the Department of Public Health and Environment may use existing funding for synthetic opioid detection tests on other drug testing equipment. The bill modifies mandatory reporting requirements, court procedures, and the criminal code to:
·        exclude injuries involving drug or drug paraphernalia possession from physicians’ mandatory reporting requirements; clarify that distributors of an opioid antagonist have the same immunity protections as those furnishing or administering the opioid antagonist; and exclude sterile equipment received through harm reduction centers and state programs from drug paraphernalia laws.

Lisa Raville, representing Harm Reduction Action Center, testified in support of the bill. Mx. Z Williams, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jason Vitello, representing Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Stephanie Stewart, representing Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Andrew Goodman, representing Colorado Drug Policy Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Julian Wakefield, representing Vivent Health, testified in support of the bill.

Ellen Velez, representing Adams County Health Department, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Barb Cardell, representing Colorado Organizations and Individuals Responding to HIV/AIDS and US Positive Women's Network, testified in support of the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment A).

Senator Priola provided closing remarks.