63C67E6FE6CD599B87258225007E9CC0 Hearing Summary

Representative Hooton, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1021 to the committee.  The bill creates a 21-member task force in the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to study issues related to youth experiencing homelessness.  The task force will examine how to increase services for youth experiencing homelessness, as well as the current coordination between state agencies and local agencies.  It will also ensure there is a statewide strategy to prevent homelessness, and report on Colorado's progress toward preventing and ending homelessness.  The bill specifies that the Office of Homeless Youth Services is transferred to DOLA from the Department of Human Services.

Representative Hooton responded to committee questions regarding the bill.  Amendments L.001, L.002, and L.005 (Attachments F,G, and H) were distributed to the committee.

Representative Singer proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Laura Richards, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Kendall Rames, Urban Peak, testified in support of the bill.

Romeo Perez, Urban Peak, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Perez responded to committee questions.

Denise McHugh, Spark Community and the Rural Collaboration for Runaway and Homeless Youth, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. McHugh responded to committee questions.

Representative Hooton responded to committee questions.

Erin Medina, Mile High United Way, testified in support of the bill.

Alison George, DOLA, testified in a neutral capacity.  Ms. George answered questions from the committee.

Ms. Rames returned to the table to respond to committee questions.

Sammie Lawrence, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Corletta Hilton-Davis, representing herself, testified regarding the bill.  Ms. Hilton-Davis responded to committee questions.

Representative Hooton described amendment L.002 (Attachment G) to the committee.

Representative Hooton described amendment L.005 (Attachment H) to the committee.

Representative Hooton provided concluding remarks on the bill.