h_phc_2016a_2016-04-19t13:37:13z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/19/2016

02:29 PM -- HB 16-1426



Representative Singer called the meeting back to order. Representative Primavera and Representative Willet, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 16-1426 to the committee. The bill requires certain medical professionals, when approached in person or via telemedicine by a patient seeking an assistance animal as a reasonable accommodation in housing, to make a written finding. The finding should indicate that the patient has a disability as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) or that there is insufficient information available to make a determination regarding the patient's disability. If a disability is found, the medical professional must make a separate written finding regarding whether the need for an assistance animal is related to the disability. The bill creates a class 1 petty offense for the intentional misrepresentation of entitlement to an assistance animal for purposes of obtaining a reasonable accommodation in housing.



02:34 PM



Representative Willet responded to questions from the committee about the bill.



02:39 PM -- Christina Johnson, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Johnson responded to questions regarding the bill.



02:42 PM -- Francesca Maes, Good Dogs Service Dogs, LLC, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Maes responded to questions regarding the bill.



02:48 PM -- James Clark, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.



02:50 PM



Representative Willet responded to a question from the witness.



02:52 PM -- R.J. Stoker, We the People, testified in opposition to the bill.



02:55 PM



Representatives Willet and Primavera responded to questions from the committee.



03:01 PM -- Barbara Henry, Domino Service Dogs, gave a presentation in support of the bill. Ms. Henry responded to questions from the committee.



03:13 PM -- Caitlin Brady, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.



03:15 PM -- Ann Clement, Colorado Retail Council, testified in support of the bill.



03:18 PM -- Brianne Corbett, Freedom Service Dogs, testified in support of the bill.



03:20 PM -- Mark Simon, representing himself, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment D). Mr. Simon responded to questions from the committee.



160419 AttachD.pdf



03:27 PM -- Marijo Rymer, The Arc of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



03:28 PM -- Deborah Wilson, Colorado Apartment Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Wilson responded to questions from the committee.



03:33 PM -- Dawn Howard, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.



03:36 PM -- Carolyn Rogers, National Association of Residential Property Managers, testified in support of the bill.



03:39 PM -- Alison Daniels, Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



03:43 PM



Representative Primavera and Representative Willet distributed amendment L.002 (Attachment E) and explained it to the committee.



160419 AttachE.pdf

03:48 PM



Representative Primavera and Representative Willet gave concluding remarks on the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.