h_phc_2017a_2017-03-21t13:35:11z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/21/2017

Location: HCR 0107

03:16 PM -- HB 17-1229



Representative Singer and Representative Becker, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 17-1229 to the committee and distributed a handout (Attachment A). The bill makes changes to workers' compensation law. It requires mental impairment claims to be proven by evidence supported by the testimony of a licensed psychiatrist, rather than a physician, or a psychologist. The bill defines "psychologically traumatic event" as one generally outside of a worker's usual experience that would evoke significant symptoms of distress in a worker in similar circumstances, or an event within a worker's usual experience only when the worker is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist after:



170321 AttachA.pdf

• experiencing an attempt by another person to cause the worker serious bodily injury or death through the use of deadly force;

• witnessing a death, or the immediate aftermath of a death, of one or more people as the result of a violent event; or

• repeatedly witnessing the serious bodily injury (or immediate aftermath) of one or more people as a result of an intentional act or of an accident.

03:26 PM -- Jackie Zheleznyak, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Zheleznyak responded to questions from the committee.



03:36 PM -- Frank Cavanaugh, Colorado Self-Insured Association, testified in opposition to the bill.



03:40 PM -- Dr. John Nicoletti, Fraternal Order of Police, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Nicoletti responded to questions from the committee.



03:49 PM -- Edie Sonn, Pinnacol Assurance, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Sonn responded to questions from the committee.



03:55 PM -- Howard Paul, Colorado Search and Rescue Board, testified in support of the bill.



04:00 PM -- Kevin Bommer, Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Bommer responded to questions from the committee.



04:08 PM -- Amy Newton, Pinnacol Assurance, responded to questions from the committee.



04:11 PM -- Tim Dienst, Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



04:14 PM -- Jim Crone, County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



04:19 PM -- Don Enlow, Colorado State Patrol and Colorado Association of State Patrol Professionals, testified in support of the bill.



04:24 PM -- Ron Sloan, Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, testified in support of the bill.



04:27 PM -- Nick Fogel, Fraternal Order of Police, testified in support of the bill.



04:30 PM -- Sean Harper, Fraternal Order of Police, testified in support of the bill.



04:36 PM



Representative Becker and Representative Singer gave concluding remarks on the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

04:50 PM



Representative Danielson adjourned the meeting.