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8BB2D86C7D2E22EB872586E0007AF528 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB21-239

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date May 25, 2021      
Location HCR 0112



SB21-239 - Referred to House Appropriations


04:23:45 PM  
Representative Young, bill sponsor, introduced and spoke on SB21-239. The bill requires the Colorado 2-1-1 Collaborative to provide referrals to behavioral health services and provide assistance to find other public resources for unemployed individuals. The Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) within the Department of Human Services (DHS) must contract with the Colorado 2-1-1 Collaborative to ensure specialized personnel are hired that can assist in referring individuals to behavioral health services. The OBH must collaborate with the Colorado 2-1-1 to engage in targeted marketing and outreach to traditionally underserved communities. The OBH must report to the General Assembly on the impact of the communication system on behavioral health referrals by January 30, 2023. The bill appropriates $1.0 million to the DHS to provide these services.

In addition to the OBH, the Colorado 2-1-1 must collaborate with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to conduct outreach and marketing to unemployed individuals through an email and text campaign. CDLE must also update their web page to include the Colorado 2-1-1 phone number and links to its website.

These requirements repeal on July 1, 2022.

04:24:23 PM  
Representative Amabile, bill sponsor, gave opening comments on the bill.
04:28:22 PM  
Elizabeth Owens,
Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health, testified
in support of the bill.  Ray Merenstein, representing National Alliance
on Mental Illness Colorado, testified in support of the bill.  Stephanie
Sanchez, Mile High United Way, testified in support of the bill.  Andrew
Escamilla, 211 Colorado, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Escamilla
and Director Owens responded to questions from the committee.
04:45:01 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.
04:46:03 PM  

The committee reconvened.

Representative Amabile and Representative Young gave final comments on the bill.

04:48:16 PM  
Committee members made final comments on the bill.


04:50:26 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 21-239 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Young
Seconded Ortiz
Bradfield Yes
Cutter Excused
Gonzales-Gutierrez Yes
Holtorf Yes
Jodeh Yes
Larson Yes
Ortiz Yes
Pelton Yes
Ricks Yes
Woog Yes
Young Yes
Sirota Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Final YES: 12   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS