h_jud_2016a_2016-04-28t14:36:13z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/28/2016

04:54 PM -- HB16-1448



The committee recessed.





04:59 PM



Representative Singer, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1448, concerning the Relative Guardianship Assistance Program. Representative Singer explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Committee members received a chart with an overview of a child welfare case (Attachment B). Representative Singer responded to questions regarding the size of the population that would be affected by the bill, and compensation for guardians overseeing foster children with special needs. Representative Singer responded to questions regarding the positions of the counties on the bill, and the availability of the Guardianship Assistance Program in rural areas. The following persons testified regarding HB 16-1448:



16HouseJud0428AttachB.pdf



05:12 PM -- Ms. Jenn Collins, representing the Denver Department of Human Services, and Ms. Julie Thomerson, representing Adams County, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Collins provided background on orders for allocation of parental responsibilities as compared to guardianship for children. Ms. Thomerson explained the benefits of expanding the Guardianship Assistance Program under the bill, and provided an example of how the bill would benefit a guardianship situation.



05:20 PM -- Ms. Jan Wilusz, representing CASA, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Wilusz explained how she became the guardian for a number of children of a mother who could not care for the children at that time, and explained how the bill would free up funding for families in similar situations.



05:26 PM -- Ms. Mickey Axtell-Mauck, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Mauck explained how she assumed guardianship of her grandchild, and discussed the financial issues facing "kinship families." Committee members received a newspaper article discussing this situation (Attachment C). She explained how the bill would help in situations similar to hers. Ms. Briana Axtel provided her perspective on the issues facing her family.



16HouseJud0428AttachC.pdf



05:31 PM -- Ms. Linda Weinerman, representing the Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of HB 16-1448. Ms. Weinerman explained how the bill will free up funding for those who assume guardianship of children under an allocation of parental responsibility arrangement, and how the bill will also benefit the counties.



05:35 PM -- Ms. Megan Davis, representing Boulder County, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Davis discussed the merits of the legislation, and discussed some familial arrangements in Boulder County that would benefit from the bill.



05:38 PM -- Ms. Paige Rosemond, representing the Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill, making herself available to respond to questions. Ms. Rosemond responded to questions regarding the payments for foster care as compared to the Guardianship Assistance Program, and means testing for the program.

05:43 PM



The committee adjourned.