h_hie_2016a_2016-03-03t13:31:06z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/03/2016

04:52 PM -- HB16-1201



Representative Willett, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1201. The bill requires certain medical professionals, when approached in person by a patient seeking a companion or emotional support animal as a reasonable accommodation in housing, to either make a determination as to whether the patient has a disability as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or to make a finding that there is not enough information available to make a determination regarding disability. The medical professionals covered by the bill include:

• physicians and physician assistants;
• anesthesiologists;
• nurses;
• psychologists;
• social workers and clinical social workers;
• marriage and family therapists; and
• licensed professional counselors and addiction counselors.

04:59 PM



Representative Willett answered questions from the committee.



05:25 PM -- Andrew Hamrick, Colorado Apartment Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Hamrick answered questions from the committee.



05:34 PM -- Carolyn Rogers, National Association of Residential Property Managers, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Rogers and Representative Willett answered questions from the committee.



05:54 PM -- Mark Simon, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Simon answered questions from the committee.



06:13 PM



Representative Willett and Mr. Simon responded to committee members' questions.



06:24 PM -- Alison Daniels, Disability Law Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.



06:31 PM



Representative Willett made additional comments to the committee.



06:33 PM



Ms. Daniels and Representative Willett answered questions from the committee.



06:53 PM



Representative Willet explained amendment L.003 (Attachment H).



160303 AttachH.pdf

06:54 PM



The committee members made comments about the bill. Representative Willett made comments about the bill. Committee discussion with Representative Willett about the bill ensued.

07:19 PM



Committee members made comments about the bill. Representative Willett made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee discussion about the bill ensued.

07:22 PM



Representative McCann and Representative Willett discussed the possibility of future legislation on the issues addressed in the bill.

07:23 PM



The committee adjourned.