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J_MICJS_2021A 09/09/2021 09:03:17 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Date 09/09/2021
Attendance
Amabile X
Lee *
Pelton X
Simpson X
Rodriguez X
Benavidez X
Time 09:03:17 AM to 10:56:33 AM
Place HCR 0112
This Meeting was called to order by Benavidez
This Report was prepared by Juliann Jenson
Hearing Items Action Taken
Public Testimony Committee Discussion Only
Committee Discussion: Bill Draft Requests Committee Discussion Only

09:03:20 AM

Chair Benavidez gave opening remarks.  The agenda was distributed to committee members (Attachment A). 



Public Testimony - Committee Discussion Only


09:03:45 AM  

Lauren Snyder, represententing Mental Health Colorado, submitted two policy recommendations for the committee's consideration (Attachment B).  She explained the first proposal regarding people found incompetent to proceed.  Committee members asked questions about the proposal and why it was not vetted through the task force and corresponding subcommittees. 

09:18:31 AM  

Ms. Snyder explained the second proposal about changing not guilty of reason of insanity (NGRI) laws.  She discussed discretionary commitment and the long-term confinement of people who have been found NGRI.  Committee members asked questions about the proposal.

 

 



Committee Discussion: Bill Draft Requests - Committee Discussion Only


09:30:49 AM  

Chair Benavidez opened the committee discussion to bill draft requests. 

 

Dr. David Iverson, task force chair, discussed mental health holds and previous recommendations by the Mental Health Holds subcommittee.  The Chair suggested drafting a letter to the Office of Behavioral Health regarding regulatory changes.  Dr. Iverson answered questions about Medicaid coding issue and mental health clinics and decided no legislative action would be necessary at this time.

09:36:08 AM  

Committee members discussed the definition of gravely disabled and its application to mental health holds.   Further discussion ensued about mental health holds and data collection.  Treatment, in-patient beds, and civil liberties were also topics that the committee considered.

 

 

09:53:59 AM  

The committee discussed legislative proposals from the housing subcommittee of the task force.  Committee members raised concerns that the housing recommendations overlapped with the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force and encouraged the subcommittee to share their ideas with them. 

09:59:58 AM  

The conversation turned to the recommendations offered by the data and information sharing subcommittee.  Committee members expressed interest in the recommendation concerning vital records sharing in an effort to learn more information about mental health holds outcomes, among other things. 

The committee agreed that the probationer and parolee medical marijuana potency cap recommendation by this subcommittee was outside the scope of the committee, in addition to regulation concerns.

10:05:17 AM  

Committee members revisited the MHDCJS committee and task force reauthorization bill from 2020.  The Chair requested a bill draft to address some of the issue in the bill that were sidetracked because of the pandemic. 

Committee members expressed interest in drafting bills that encompassed the policy recommendations brought forth by Ms. Snyder earlier in the committee hearing regarding incompentent to proceed and NGRI. 

 

 

10:11:37 AM  

Committee members agreed to request a bill draft to extend the mental health diversion program and align it with other adult diversion programs.  This was discussed at the September 1 meeting of the Legislative Oversight Committee by Kara Martin from the State Court Administrator's Office. 

10:16:44 AM  

The committee revisted the definition of gravely disabled and requested a bill draft that expands the definition to include "harm to others." 

The committee discussed mental health bed capacity in Ft. Logan and other places across the state.  Committee members noted that the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force is reviewing that issue. 

Committee members discussed a bill draft request for alternative diversion programs, such as a triage or crisis care center and stressed its application in a rural area. 

 

10:25:31 AM  

Another bill draft request about community corrections reversion dollars was brought to the table.   These reversion dollars were originally one-time funds targeted for housing individuals released from correctional facilities.  Committee members suggested to dedicate these funds on an on-going basis to provide a more stable funding source.  

Committee members next discussed jail standards for mental health services and requested a bill draft request. 

Lastly, committee members discussed HB 20-1035, programs to develop housing support services and requested a bill to reintroduce it.  The bill would have empowered local communities to provide a broad array of services with community solicitation grants. 

Committee members formally voted on each bill draft request discussed. 

 

 

 



10:36:22 AM
Motion Draft Bill Request to Make Identified Vital Records Data Available for Research Purposes.
Moved Simpson
Seconded Amabile
Amabile Yes
Lee Yes
Pelton Yes
Simpson Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Benavidez Yes
YES: 6   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


10:37:11 AM
Motion Draft Bill Request Concerning the Reauthorization of the Legislative Oversight Committee and Task Force for the Treatment of Persons with Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System
Moved Benavidez
Seconded Pelton
Amabile Yes
Lee Yes
Pelton Yes
Simpson Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Benavidez Yes
YES: 6   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


10:38:23 AM
Motion Draft Bill Request to Streamline the Incompetency to Proceed Process
Moved Amabile
Seconded Simpson
Amabile Yes
Lee Yes
Pelton Yes
Simpson Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Benavidez Yes
YES: 6   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


10:40:10 AM
Motion Draft Bill Request Concerning Discretionary Commitment and Length of Stay for People Adjudicated of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
Moved Amabile
Seconded Benavidez
Amabile Yes
Lee Yes
Pelton Yes
Simpson Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Benavidez Yes
YES: 6   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


10:41:23 AM
Motion Draft Bill Request to Extend Sunset on
Existing Mental Health Diversion Program in the State Court Administrator's Office and Align Program Participation Thresholds with Other Adult Diversion Programs
Moved Simpson
Seconded Lee
Amabile Yes
Lee Yes
Pelton Yes
Simpson Yes
Rodriguez Excused
Benavidez Yes
YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


10:42:42 AM
Motion Draft Bill Request to Expand the Definition of Gravely Disabled to Include Harm to Others and Include Discharge Plan Language
Moved Benavidez
Seconded Lee
Amabile Yes
Lee Yes
Pelton Yes
Simpson Yes
Rodriguez Excused
Benavidez Yes
YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


10:44:05 AM
Motion Draft Bill Request to Establish Triage or Crisis Care Centers at Locations Throughout the State
Moved Lee
Seconded Benavidez
Amabile Yes
Lee Yes
Pelton Yes
Simpson Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Benavidez Yes
YES: 6   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


10:45:06 AM
Motion Draft Bill Request to use Community Corrections Reversion Dollars for Transitional Housing on an On-Going Basis
Moved Rodriguez
Seconded Benavidez
Amabile Yes
Lee Yes
Pelton Yes
Simpson Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Benavidez Yes
YES: 6   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


10:46:20 AM
Motion Draft Bill Request To Develop Mental Health Related Jail Standards
Moved Amabile
Seconded Benavidez
Amabile Yes
Lee Yes
Pelton Yes
Simpson Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Benavidez Yes
YES: 6   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


10:48:05 AM
Motion Draft Bill Request to Reintroduce House Bill 20-1035, Programs to Develop Housing Support Services
Moved Lee
Seconded Benavidez
Amabile Yes
Lee Yes
Pelton Yes
Simpson Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Benavidez Yes
YES: 6   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



10:48:47 AM

Jane Ritter, Office of Legislative Legal Services, discussed the bill draft request process and deadlines.



10:51:35 AM

Committee discussion followed about the involvement of task force members and other contacts in the bill drafting process.



10:56:00 AM

The Chair made closing remarks and asked that the commitee be prepared to vote on the bill draft requests at the next hearing on October 27. 


10:56:33 AM   The committee adjourned.






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