s_blt_2017a_2017-04-12t14:05:50z3 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/12/2017

Location: SCR 354

04:00 PM -- HB 17-1229



Senator Todd introduced House Bill 17-1229, concerning workers' compensation for mental impairment. 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 to 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.



04:05 PM -- Dr. John Nicoletti, Colorado Psychological Association, spoke in favor of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



04:09 PM -- Kevin Bommer, Colorado Municipal League, spoke in favor of the bill.



04:17 PM -- Frank Cavanaugh, Colorado Self Insured Association, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



04:19 PM -- Nick Colglazier, Colorado Competitive Council, spoke in favor of the bill.



04:28 PM -- Terry Campbell, Association of Colorado State Patrol Professionals, spoke in favor of the bill.



04:28 PM -- Ron Sloan, Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, spoke in favor of the bill.



04:31 PM -- Sheriff Jim Crone, County Sheriffs of Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill.



04:35 PM -- Timothy Dienst, Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill.



04:39 PM -- Howard Paul, Colorado Search and Rescue, spoke in favor of the bill.



04:43 PM -- Sean Harper, Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, spoke in favor of the bill.



04:47 PM -- Edie Sonn, Pinnacol Assurance, spoke in favor of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.



04:51 PM -- Harvey Flewelling, Pinnacol Assurance, spoke in favor of the bill.



04:55 PM



Ms. Sonn and Mr. Flewelling continued to respond to questions from the committee.



05:09 PM



Senators Cooke and Todd made closing comments on the merits of the bill. Senator Todd discussed amendment L.003 (Attachment C).

170412 AttachC.pdf
BILL:	HB17-1229
TIME:	05:11:52 PM
MOVED:	Neville T.
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.003. The motion failed on a vote of 3-4.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Jahn	No
	Kefalas	No
	Priola	Yes
	Smallwood	Yes
	Williams A.	No
	Neville T.	Yes
	Tate	No
YES: 3 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL