CB92903B25334390872583C4006CEA6A Hearing Summary

Senator Gardner and Senator Fields, bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-195.  The bill creates the Office of Children and Youth Behavioral Health Policy Coordination in the Office of the Governor to support the work of the newly created Children and Youth Behavioral Health Policy Coordination Commission and the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Advisory Council to enhance collaboration between agencies and to coordinate the implementation and provision of various behavioral health services for children and youths.

Shannon Van Deman, Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.

Jim Wiegand, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Kari Eckert, Robbie's Hope, testified in support of the bill.

Leslie Jones, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Kate Hartman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Hope Hartman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Kate Hartman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Fields commented on the witness testimony.

Moe Keller, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Melanie Kesner, Healthier Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Bethany Pray, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill.

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

Dr Antonia Chiesa, The Kempe Foundation, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Chris Rogers, Health One, the Medical Center of Aurora, Colorado Psychiatric Society, and the Colorado Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Society, testified in support of the bill.

Laurie Beckel, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Gardner distributed and discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment C).

Senators Fields and Gardner made closing comments.