s_sa_2017a_2017-05-01t13:37:50z8 Hearing Summary

Date: 05/01/2017

Location: SCR 357

03:49 PM -- HB17-1320



Senator Fenberg, co-prime sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1320 to the committee. This reengrossed bill lowers the age required for a minor to seek and obtain outpatient psychotherapy services without parental notification or consent from 15 years or older to 12 years or older. A licensed mental health provider serving such patients is immune from civil or criminal liability unless the patient has communicated a clear and imminent threat to inflict serious bodily harm and the provider fails to make the required warnings and notifications. If a minor who is receiving psychotherapy services without parental notification or consent communicates to the mental health provider a clear and imminent intent or threat to inflict serious bodily harm on himself or herself or others, the mental health provider is required to immediately notify the minor's parent or guardian, or any other person having custody or decision-making responsibility of the minor, of such communication. The bill clarifies that the age required for a minor to seek and obtain inpatient services without parental notification and consent remains 15 years of age or older.



Committee members discussed the bill with Senator Fenberg.



03:58 PM -- Anne Joachim, representing the Colorado Chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, testified against the bill.



04:00 PM -- Kim Monson, representing herself, testified against the bill.



04:02 PM -- Dr. Jenna Ellis, representing the Centennial Institute, testified against the bill.



04:05 PM -- Aubrey Boggs, representing the Colorado Mental Wellness Network, testified in support of the bill.



04:09 PM -- Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



04:11 PM -- Dawn Roberts, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.





04:15 PM



Dr. Spencer-Thomas and Senator Fenberg responded to committee member questions.



04:17 PM -- Rabbi Bernard Gerson, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



04:19 PM -- Megan Miccio, representing herself and the Bridge Project, testified in support of the bill. She read from two letters of support for the bill (Attachments B and C).



17SenateState0501AttachB.pdf 17SenateState0501AttachC.pdf



04:22 PM -- Gina Millan, representing the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), testified in support of the bill.



04:24 PM -- Gianella Millan, representing COLOR, testified in support of the bill.



04:27 PM -- Heather Kennedy, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



04:29 PM -- Kristen Torres, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



04:32 PM -- Faduma Ali, representing herself and the Bridge Project, testified in support of the bill.



04:33 PM -- Stew Nyholm, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



04:36 PM -- Jessica Stohlmann-Rainey, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



04:39 PM -- Heidi Lightenburger, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



04:42 PM -- Eleanor Cabell, representing herself, Indivisible Colorado, and COLOR, testified in support of the bill.



04:45 PM -- Dr. Robin Paterson, representing herself, testified against the bill. She provided an opposition letter to committee members (Attachment D).



17SenateState0501AttachD.pdf



04:48 PM -- Drew Paterson, representing himself, testified against the bill.





04:52 PM



Senator Fenberg wrapped up his presentation of the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.