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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB23-1124

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Feb 8, 2023       Location HCR 0107

HB23-1124 - Referred to House Appropriations
02:08:54 PM  
Representative Lindsay, prime bill sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1124, concerning the continuation of funding for supportive employment services for Colorado employment first participants.  The Colorado Employment First Program, housed in the Department of Human Services (DHS), provides employment, education, and training services to families receiving assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  The bill appropriates $1.5 million General Fund per year through FY 2024-25 to the DHS for the Colorado Employment First Program. The funding will be used by county departments and a third-party partner to provide employment support and job retention services, and to support work-based learning opportunities for Colorado Employment First participants.  This requirement repeals July 1, 2025.
02:12:27 PM  
Aaron Carpenter, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions from the committee about the bill's fiscal note.
02:17:15 PM  
Representative Lindsay responded to questions from the committee.
02:19:17 PM  
Rebecca Balu, representing DHS, responded to committee questions.

Laura Ware, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill.

Kathryn Harris, representing ActivateWork, testified in support of the bill.

Juan Pena, representing CrossPurpose, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.
02:47:17 PM  
Valerie Greenhagen, representing the Center for Employment Opportunities, testified in support of the bill.

Vanessa Fewell, representing the Larimer County Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Suzanne Miller, representing Arapahoe/Douglas Works, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members made comments about the testimony.
Written testimony was provided to the committee (Attachment E).
02:57:04 PM  
Representative Lindsay made concluding remarks about the bill.

02:58:55 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 23-1124 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Young
Seconded Hamrick
Amabile Yes
Bradfield Yes
Bradley Yes
English Yes
Gonzales-Gutierrez Excused
Hamrick Yes
Holtorf Yes
Jodeh Yes
Story Yes
Young Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Final YES: 10   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS