5DF4244C24B1AB5B872586C50080E4E5 Hearing Summary

Representatives Caraveo and Herod, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 21-1251, concerning the appropriate use of ketamine upon a person in a prehospital setting. Representative Caraveo explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Herod provided additional input on the need for the bill, and explained the effect of some forthcoming amendments. Representative Caraveo responded to questions regarding the effects and uses of ketamine, demographic data on the use of chemical restraints by law enforcement, and the ease with which medical personnel can be available with respect to the administration of chemical restraints. Representative Herod provided input on these questions.

Elijiah McKnight, representing himself, testified in support of HB 21-1251.

Jeremiah Axtel, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Kim Andrews, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Teresa Fuentes, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Steven Reycraft, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Mickey Axtel Mauck, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. McKnight further discussed his experience with being injected with ketamine. Ms. Mauck responded to questions regarding the administration of ketamine on her son. Discussion ensued regarding complaints filed by panelists who were subjected to ketamine injection.

William Dunn, representing the Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, testified in opposition to HB 21-1251. Gabrielle Jacknin, representing herself, testified on the bill from an "amend" position. Thom Dunn, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Jeremy DeWall, representing the National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians Colorado Chapter, testified in opposition to the bill. William Dunn responded to questions regarding the waiver process for administering drugs, personnel on scene when ketamine is administered, and his position on the bill if amendments were to be adopted. Discussion ensued regarding the safety of ketamine, and anesthesiologists involved in emergency medical services. William Dunn responded to further questions regarding protocols for administering ketamine. Thom Dunn responded to questions regarding cooperation among on-scene personnel when administering ketamine, and criminal provisions in the bill restricting conversations among on-scene personnel.

Qusair Mohamedbhai, representing himself, testified in support of HB 21-1251.

Anita Springsteen, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Kevin McVaney, representing the Denver Health and Hospital Authority, testified in opposition to HB 21-1251. Yolanda Amezcua, representing the Denver Health and Hospital Authority, testified in opposition to the bill. Mack Thompson, representing Denver Health, testified in opposition to the bill. The panel responded to questions regarding whether they have administered chemical restraints at the request of law enforcement. Mr. McVaney responded to questions regarding how suspects were restrained before the use of ketamine, and the complication rate from the use of ketamine. The panel responded to questions regarding the use of ketamine on a suspect that is seemingly under control, and the receipt of information from law enforcement when at a scene. Discussion ensued regarding how amendment L.001 (Attachment D), a strike-below amendment, will change the bill. Mr. Thompson responded to questions regarding the timing for using ketamine during an active scene.

Gary Bryskiewicz, representing Denver Health Paramedic Division, testified in opposition to HB 21-1251.

Ron Sloan, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Bryskiewicz responded to questions regarding communication between law enforcement and paramedics at a scene. Mr. Sloan responded to questions regarding provisions in the bill pertaining to criminal sanctions for law enforcement for failing to report certain information. Mr. Sloan responded to further questions regarding potential trepidation on the part of law enforcement to engage in certain communications under the bill, and information provided to paramedics when they are dispatched to a scene.

Tyler Brown, representing himself, testified on HB 21-1251 from an "amend" perspective. Suzette Freidenberger, representing the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, testified in opposition to the bill. Allison Trop, representing the Colorado Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, testified on the bill from an "amend" perspective. Remle Crowe, representing ESO, testified on the bill from an "amend" position. Discussion ensued regarding uses of ketamine beyond chemical restraint, and certain reporting requirements in the bill. Sheriff Brown responded to questions regarding the administration of ketamine by law enforcement in rural communities. Dr. Crowe responded to questions regarding intubation rates associated with ketamine administration, and demographics associated with the use of ketamine as a restraint.

Don Lombardi, representing the West Metro Fire Department, testified in opposition to the bill. Chief Lombardi responded to questions regarding the process by which paramedics call medical directors with respect to a second Ketamine application, and restricting the use of Ketamine to alleviate pain under amendment L.001.

Frank Sturgell, representing himself, testified on SB 21-1251 from an "amend" perspective.

Daniel Janik, representing the Colorado Society of Anesthesiology, testified in support of the bill.

Steven Zeichner, representing the Colorado Society of Anesthesiology, testified in support of the bill.

Randall Clark, representing the Colorado Society of Anesthesiology, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Clark responded to questions regarding his qualifications to speak on the administration of Ketamine, and the interplay between paramedical and anesthesiology practices.

Representatives Caraveo explained the effect of amendment L.003 (Attachment _). Discussion ensued regarding the change of a definition under the bill.

Representative Tipper explained the effect of amendment L.002 (Attachment F).

Representative Herod explained the effect of amendment L.004 (Attachment G).  Discussion ensued regarding amendment L.005 (Attachment H).

Representative Carver explained the effect of amendment L.009 (Attachment _). Discussion ensued on the merits of the amendment.

Representative Carver explained the effect of amendment L.007 (Attachment J). Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the amendment.

Representative Carver explained the effect of amendment L.010 (Attachment K). Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the amendment.

The sponsors of HB 21-1251 provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.