B1763AA737FB4F9187258824006D0051 Hearing Summary

Senators Gonzales and Lee, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-196, concerning supporting the health needs of persons who may be involved with the criminal justice system.   The bill sponsors discussed behavioral health capacity, medication assisted treatment, and data sharing and integration.  The senators further discussed diversion and the need for acute behavioral health issues to be addressed in a community-based setting instead of jails or prisons. 

Dr. Morgan Medlock, representing the Behavioral Health Administration in the Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed non-criminal pathways to treatment and wrap-around support systems to divert people out of the criminal justice system.  She referenced the 2020 behavioral health blueprint for reform (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lWVIG3IHPM8OUgVFgLuqWFn8waqgUseZ/view).

Committee members asked questions about workforce and program measurements. 

Deputy Medicaid Director Cristen Bates, representing Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing - HCPF, testified to amend the bill. She suggested adding clarifying language about federal waivers.

Terri Hurst, representing Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill. She discussed medication assisted treatment in the Department of Corrections and access to healthcare. 

Matthew Server, representing Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in support of the bill.

Rebecca Wallace, representing Colorado Freedom Fund, testified in support of the bill. She discussed emergency response team funding opportunities and municipal court text reminder programs.

Committee members raised questions about data collection. 

Perry May, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Director - Division of Criminal Justice Joe Thome, representing Colorado Department of Public Safety, testified in support of the bill. He discussed data sharing and access to Medicaid for individuals in the criminal justice system.  He also talked about cost-savings and interoperability platforms. 

Meghan MacKillop, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill. She discussed substance abuse and mental health treatment, and municipal court text reminder programs.

Timothy Lane, representing CDAC, testified in support of the bill. He discussed co-responder models and funding for diversion programs. 

The bill sponsors acknowledged bill stakeholders.

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L.002 about diversion programs (Attachment D). 

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L.003 about an advisory committee to award grants (Attachment E). 

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L.004 about authorized funding uses (Attachment F).

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L. 005 that makes a technical amendment to clarify Medicaid language (Attachment G). 

The bill sponsors made closing remarks about behavioral health treatment, public safety, and community investments.