H_PHC_2018A 04/27/2018 02:21:35 PM Committee Summary

No witnesses testified on this bill.

Representative Pabon distributed amendment L.001 to the committee [Attachment A].

Representative Pabon gave concluding remarks on the bill.

Representative Lee, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1405 to the committee.  The bill exempts providers of legal assistance and associated staff for agencies of aging from being mandatory reporters for mistreatment of elder adults and at-risk adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Representative Lee distributed amendment L.001 to the committee (Attachment B).

Rich Mauro, Denver Regional Council of Governments, testified in support of the bill.

Kelsey Lesco, Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Lee gave concluding remarks on the bill.

Representative Singer and Representative Ransom, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1390 to the committee.  The bill allows parents to enter into an authorized agreement with another person to take care of their child for less than six months.  Witness testimony on the bill was heard during the April 24, 2018, House Public Health Care and Human Services Committee meeting.  

Representative Singer distributed amendment L.005 to the committee (Attachment C).

Representative Danielson laid the bill over until later in the meeting, and recessed the committee briefly.

Representative Danielson called the meeting back to order.  Representative Young and Representative Rankin, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1407 to the committee.  The bill requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to seek federal approval for a 6.5 percent increase to the reimbursement rate for specific services that are delivered through home- and community-based services waivers.  All of the increased funding must be used to increase compensation for direct support professionals.  In addition, HCPF must offer enrollment to certain individuals on the waiting list for waiver services.  A handout was distributed (Attachment D).  

Amendments L.001 and L.002 were distributed to the committee (Attachments E and F).

Representative Young responded to committee questions.

Representative Singer proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Cheryl Wicks, Mosaic Colorado Springs, testified in support of the bill.

Tim Grove, Mosaic Colorado Springs, testified in support of the bill.

Christiano Sosa, The Arc of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Carol Meredith, The Arc of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, testified in support of the bill.

Emma Hudson, Alliance, and Dave DeNovellis, HCPF, came to the table to respond to questions on the bill and amendments.

Representatives Rankin and Young gave concluding remarks on the bill.

Representative Singer, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-024 to the committee.  The bill modifies the Colorado Health Services Corps program to expand the availability of behavioral health care providers in designated shortage areas.    

Representative Danielson proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Jennifer Miles, Colorado Providers Association, testified in support of the bill.

Steve Holloway, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill.

Jose Esquibel, Colorado Office of the Attorney General, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Singer gave concluding remarks on the bill.

Representatives Singer and Ransom gave concluding remarks on the bill.  Committee members commented.

Representative Singer, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-016 to the committee.  The bill continues a transfer of unspent community corrections funding to the Department of Local Affairs to support transitional housing for persons leaving the criminal justice system.  A handout was distributed to the committee (Attachment G). 0

Amendment L.001 was distributed to the committee (Attachment H).

Representative Singer responded to committee questions.

Representative Danielson proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Alison George, Department of Local Affairs, testified in support of the bill.

Gina Shimeall, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Shimeall and Ms. George responded to committee questions.

Representative Singer gave concluding remarks on the bill.