4A1691C4F5A59C76872583C5005CF0DC Hearing Summary

Representative Buentello, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-001 to the committee.  The bill extends the Medication-assisted Treatment Pilot Program administered within the University of Colorado for two years and increases its appropriation.  Counties in the San Luis Valley — Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Huerfano, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache — and up to two additional counties where a need is demonstrated are eligible to participate in the program, in addition to Pueblo and Routt counties where the program currently operates.  The administration of the program is shifted from the College of Nursing to the Center for Research into Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Support Strategies at the University of Colorado.  Representative Buentello responded to committee questions.

Representative Mullica proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Melinda McDowell, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Robert Valuck, Colorado Consortium for Rx Drug Abuse Prevention, testified in support of the bill.

Valerie Schlecht, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Stephanie Stewart, American Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Valuck and Ms. McDowell responded to committee questions.

Dr. Paul Cook, Univeristy of Colorado College of Nursing, testified in support of the bill.  Dr. Cook responded to committee questions.

Representative Buentello gave closing remarks on the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.