408649D7C61EDCA3872585050068140B Hearing Summary

The committee went into recess.

Representative Singer called the committee back to order.

Representatives Caraveo and Pelton, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 20-1139. The bill creates and allows recovery support services organizations to bill Medicaid for eligible services.  The bill also establishes a tax credit for eligible peer-support professionals.  

Recovery support services organizations.  This bill creates a new type of organization, called a recovery support services organization, for which the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) in the Department of Human Services (DHS) may approve for reimbursement under Medicaid.  Recovery support services organizations are governed by representatives of communities of recovery that provide recovery-focused services.  

On or before January 1, 2022, recovery support services organizations approved by the OBH may bill for services including:

•    peer-delivered support services;

•    peer-run drop-in centers, recovery and wellness centers, and employment services;

•    prevention and early intervention activities;

•    peer mentoring for children and adolescents;

•    patient and family support groups;

•    warm lines; and

•    advocacy services.

State income tax credit for peer support professionals.  The bill also creates a state income tax credit for eligible peer support professionals.  The amount of the tax credit is $1,000 per taxpayer and is refundable, meaning if the amount exceeds the taxpayer's state income tax liability, the balance is refunded to the taxpayer.  The credit is available for tax years 2021 through 2030.  The bill caps the total amount of credits that can be issued to $100,000 per tax year.  The credit certificates will be issued by OBH and in the order in which they are requested.  The DHS must adjust the tax credit amount for inflation beginning in tax year 2022.

To be eligible for the credit, a peer support professional must:

• have been employed in Colorado as a peer support professional at least part-time in the behavioral health sector for at least three years and be enrolled in a undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited Colorado institution of higher education with at least 12 credit hours per academic year; or
•  have been previously employed in Colorado as a peer support professional at least part-time in the behavioral health sector for at least three years, graduated from an accredited Colorado institution of higher education, and have been subsequently employed in Colorado as a behavioral health care provider.  

The OBH must promulgate rules concerning what documentation is required to receive the credit; review all necessary information provided by eligible peer support professionals; ensure that the total amount of tax credits issued does not exceed the $100,000 annual cap; and provide an annual report to the DHS of the number of eligible peer support professionals.  On or before July 1, 2030, the OBH must submit a report to the General Assembly on the number and types of peer support professionals who took a tax credit.

Lauren Snyder, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Jenny Loth-Hill, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment F).

Gabrielle Rodriguez, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Mandy Chapman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

The previous four witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Hope Hyatt, Colorado Mental Wellness Network, testified in support of the bill. She distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment G).

Amanda Cain, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jess Stohlmann-Rainey, Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members made comments on the testimony.

Valerie Schlecht, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Thomas Hernandez, Tribe Recovery Homes, testified in support of the bill. Joseph Bowers, National Alliance on Mental Illness Colorado, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to committee questions.

Rachel Sedell, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Mark Leveling, Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners, testified in support of the bill.

Margaret Elmer, National Alliance on Mental Illness Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Caraveo explained amendment L.002 to the committeee (Attachment H).

Representatives Caraveo and Pelton made closing remarks on the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.