Representative Young and Representative Amabile, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1236, concerning implementation updates to the behavioral health administration. The bill delineates certain administrative responsibilities between the recently created Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and the Department of Human Services (CDHS). The bill also formally repeals the Office of Behavioral Health, which is now functioning as the recently renamed Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health in CDHS.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Morgan Medlock, representing the BHA, testified in support of the bill. Kevin Neimond, representing the CDHS, testified in support of the bill. Cristen Bates, representing the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified in support of the bill. Edie Sonn, representing the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified in support of the bill. Andrea Jones, representing the BHA, was available to answer committee questions. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Gini Pingenot, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., testified to amend the bill. Lauren Snyder, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Young explained amendment L.002 (Attachment C) and responded to questions about the amendment.

Representative Amabile responded to questions from the committee on amendment L.011.

Representative Amabile and Representative Young provided concluding remarks on the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.