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I_CCWSISC_2023A 10/25/2023 09:01:26 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
INTERIM COMMITTEE  COLORADO'S CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE
Date 10/25/2023
Attendance
Bradley X
Duran X
Evans X
Froelich X
Joseph X
Kirkmeyer X
Michaelson Jenet *
Pugliese *
Zenzinger X
Fields *
Young X
Time 09:01:26 AM to 02:12:10 PM
Place Old State Library
This Meeting was called to order by Young
This Report was prepared by Amanda King
Hearing Items Action Taken
Opening Remarks Committee Discussion Only
Review of Bill Drafts and Proposed Amendments Committee Discussion Only
Public Comment on Bill Drafts Committee Discussion Only
Vote on Bill Drafts, Proposed Amendments, and Letter to the Joint Technology Committee Vote on Draft Bills

Opening Remarks - Committee Discussion Only
09:03:38 AM  
Representative Young
made opening remarks and reviewed the meeting agenda (Attachment A).



Review of Bill Drafts and Proposed Amendments - Committee Discussion Only
09:06:25 AM  
Senator Zenzinger
explained Bill Draft 1 - Kinship Foster Care Homes (Attachment B). A copy
of the fiscal note for Bill Draft 1 was distributed to the committee (Attachment
C).
09:11:34 AM  
Senator Zenzinger
discussed Amendment 1 to Bill Draft 1 (Attachment D).  She also discussed
another potential amendment that would be brought forth during the legislative
session if the bill moves forward.
09:14:03 AM  
Senator Zenzinger responded to questions from the committee.
09:19:16 AM  
Senator Kirkmeyer
explained Bill Draft 2 - Children's Behavioral Health Statewide Health
System of Care (Attachment E). A copy of the fiscal note for Bill Draft
2 was distibuted to the committee (Attachment F). She also explained Amendment
1 to Bill Draft 2 (Attachment G). Representative Pugliese, Representative
Duran, and Senator Michaelson Jenet further explained Bill Draft 2.
09:28:00 AM  
Senator Kirkmeyer responded to questions from the committee.
09:32:29 AM  
Representative Evans
explained Bill Draft 3 - Keeping Families Together Act (Attachment H).
 A copy of the fiscal note for Bill Draft 3 was distributed to the
committee (Attachment I). He also discussed Amendment 1 to Bill Draft 3,
which strikes everything below the enacting clause (Attachment J).  Senator
Fields provided additional information about the bill.
09:39:59 AM  
Representative Young
and Senator Fields explained Bill Draft 4 - Whole Health Coordination Pilot
Program (Attachment K). A copy of the fiscal note for the Bill Draft 4
was distributed to the committee (Attachment L).
09:47:01 AM  
Representative Young and Senator Fields responded to questions from the committee.
09:52:02 AM  
Representative Young
and Senator Kirkmeyer explained Bill Draft 5 - High-acuity Crisis for Children
and Youth (Attachment M). A copy of the fiscal note for Bill Draft 5 was
distributed to the committee (Attachment N). Representative Young and Senator
Kirkmeyer responded to questions from the committee.
10:01:23 AM  
Representative Bradley
and Representative Joseph explained Bill Draft 6 - Accessibility for Persons
in Child Welfare Matters (Attachment O). A copy of the fiscal note for
Bill Draft 6 was distributed to the committee (Attachment P). Representative
Joseph discussed Amendments 6 and 7 to Bill Draft 6 (Attachments Q and
R).  Amendment 6 strikes everything below the enacting clause.
10:06:48 AM  
Representative Duran
explained Bill Draft 7 - Child Welfare Tools (Attachment S). A copy of
the fiscal note for Bill Draft 7 was distributed to the committee (Attachment
T).  
10:10:49 AM  
The committee recessed.
10:11:08 AM  
The committee resumed.
10:16:43 AM  
Representative Duran
resumed her presentation on Bill Draft 7.  Senator Michaelson Jenet
further explained Bill Draft 7.  Representative Duran explained Amendment
1 to Bill Draft 7 (Attachment U).  
10:22:14 AM  
Representative Duran responded to questions from the committee.
10:24:16 AM  
Representative Young
explained Bill Draft 8 - Child Welfare Worker Task Force (Attachment V).
A copy of the fiscal note for Bill Draft 8 was provided to the committee
(Attachment W). Representative Young explained Amendment 1 to Bill Draft
7 (Attachment X). Senator Michaelson Jenet further explained Bill Draft
8.
10:31:44 AM  
Representative Young responded to questions from the committee.
10:33:35 AM  
Representative Evans
explained Bill Draft 9 - Requirements Reports Child Abuse or Neglect (Attachment
Y). A copy of the fiscal note for Bill Draft 9 was distributed to the commitee
(Attachment Z).  Representative Evans explained Amendment 3 to Bill
Draft 9 (Attachment AA). Representative Duran further explained Bill Draft
9.    
10:38:37 AM  
Representative Evans responded to questions from the committee.
10:39:35 AM  
Representative Young
explained Bill Draft 10 - Commission on Child Protection (Attachment BB).
A copy of the fiscal note for Bill Draft 10 was provided to the committee
(Attachment CC). Representative Young explained Amendments 1, 2, and 3
to Draft Bill 10 (Attachments DD, EE, and FF). Senator Fields further explained
Bill Draft 10.  
10:46:18 AM  
Representative Young and Senator Fields responded to questions from the committee.



Public Comment on Bill Drafts - Committee Discussion Only

10:50:47 AM  
The following people
provided testimony to the committee on the bill drafts and child welfare
matters:



- Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel;

- Shawna Geiger, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel;

- Byron Conway Jr, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel;

- Sarah Morris, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel; and


- Melissa Thompson, representing Office of the Respondent Parents' Counsel.



The panelists responded to questions from the committee.
11:12:18 AM  
The following people
provided testimony to the committee on the bill drafts and child welfare
matters:



- Katie McDougal, representing Adams County;

- Commissioner Carrie Warren-Gully, representing Colorado Counties Inc.
and Arapahoe County;

- Evelyn Priola, representing Boulder County; and

- Commissioner Marta Loachamin, representing Boulder County.



The panelists responded to questions from the committee.  
11:30:51 AM  
The following people
provided testimony to the committee on the bill drafts and child welfare
matters:



- Jaid Redmon Greene, representing themself;

- Annette Mitchell read a statement on behalf of Gail Engel, representing
themself;

- Timothy Scott, representing themself; and

- Lauren Smith, representing Soul 2 Soul Sisters; and

- Judi Atwood, representing themself.



A copy of Ms. Redmon Greene's statement was provided to the committee (Attachment
GG).



The panelists responded to questions from the committee.
11:56:57 AM  
The following people
provided testimony to the committee on the bill drafts and child welfare
matters:



- Ruby Richards, representing the Douglas County Department of Human Services;

- Jamie Ulrich, representing the Weld County Department of Human Services;

- Commissioner Scott James, representing Weld County; and

- Amy Sciangula, representing the Broomfield County Child, Adult, and Family
Services Division.
12:13:28 PM  
The following people
testified on the bill drafts and child welfare matters:



- Margaret Bachrach, representing CASA Boulder County Voices for Children;

- Alli Daley, representing Children's Hospital Colorado;

- Kate Follett, representing the Jefferson County Public Health Department;
and

- Indra Lusero, representing Elephant Circle.

The panelists
responded to questions from the committee.
12:25:42 PM  
The following people
testified on the bill drafts and child welfare matters:



- Lynette Overmeyer, representing the Colorado Human Services Directors
Association Strike Force and Legislative Committee;

- Katie Smith, representing the Denver City Attorney’s Office;

- Danielle Rash, representing the Denver City Attorney's Office;

- Martha Johnson, representing the La Plata County Department of Human
Services;

- Mollie Warren, representing Boulder County; and

- Josie Berry, representing the Denver Human Services Department.
12:45:17 PM  
The following people
testified on the bill drafts and child welfare matters:



- Benjamin Teevan, representing Fostering Colorado and Colorado Association
of Family and Children’s Agencies;

- Jody Britton, representing Foster Source;

- Rosemary Van Gorder, representing themself; and

- William Poe, representing themself.
01:00:52 PM  
The following people
testified on the bill drafts and child welfare matters:



- Ashley Chase, representing Office of the Child's Representative;

- Stephanie Villafuerte, representing Office of the Colorado Child Protection
Ombudsman;

- Pat Bershinsky, representing Pikes Peak Board of Cooperative Educational
Services;

- Julie George, representing Raise the Future; and

- Kendall Marlowe, representing the Kempe Foundation.


Ms. Villafuerte provided an informational packet to the committee (Attachment
HH).



The panelists responded to questions from the committee.
01:18:31 PM  
The following people
testified on the bill drafts and child welfare matters:



- Michelle Murphy, representing Colorado Rural Schools Alliance;

- Kathleen Melendy, representing Violence Free Colorado; and

- Erin Meschke, representing themself.

Written testimony
was provided to the committee (Attachment II).
01:27:12 PM  
The committee recessed.



Vote on Bill Drafts, Proposed Amendments, and Letter to the Joint Technology Committee - Vote on Draft Bills
01:31:08 PM  
The committee came
back to order. Representative Young explained the process for voting on
the bill drafts. Representative Young withdrew Bill Draft 8 from consideration.
01:31:22 PM  
The committee took
a preliminary vote on bills.  



Bill Draft 1 received 11 votes of support. Bill Draft 2 received 11 votes
of support. Bill Draft 3 received 4 votes of support. Bill Draft 4 received
4 votes of support. Bill Draft 5 received 11 votes of support. Bill Draft
6 received 7 votes of support. Bill Draft 7 received 8 votes of support.
Bill Draft 9 received 5 votes of support. Bill Draft 10 received 5 votes
of support.



The committee recessed.
01:41:45 PM  
The committee resumed.
01:44:18 PM  
Represenative Young
reviewed the bills that received six or more votes.


01:46:18 PM
 Motion Move Amendment 1 (Attachment D) to Bill Draft 1.
Moved Zenzinger
Seconded Pugliese
Bradley
Duran
Evans
Froelich Remote
Joseph
Kirkmeyer
Michaelson Jenet
Pugliese
Zenzinger
Fields
Young
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
01:46:42 PM  
Senator Zenzinger
made comments about Bill Draft 1.


01:48:06 PM
 Motion Move to refer Bill Draft 1, as amended, to Legislative Council.
Moved Zenzinger
Seconded Pugliese
Bradley Yes
Duran Yes
Evans Yes
Froelich Yes
Joseph Yes
Kirkmeyer Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Pugliese Yes
Zenzinger Yes
Fields Yes
Young Yes
YES: 11   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
01:48:08 PM  
Senators Zenzinger
and Kirkmeyer and Representatives Pugliese and Young were designated as
the co-prime sponsors of Bill Draft 1. It was determined that the bill
would be introduced in the Senate. All of the remaining committee members
requested to be co-sponsors on Bill Draft 1.


01:50:47 PM
 Motion Move Amendment 1 (Attachment G) to Bill Draft 2.
Moved Kirkmeyer
Seconded Michaelson Jenet
Bradley
Duran
Evans
Froelich
Joseph
Kirkmeyer
Michaelson Jenet
Pugliese
Zenzinger
Fields
Young
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
01:51:11 PM  
The committee discussed
Bill Draft 2.


01:52:06 PM
 Motion Move to refer Bill Draft 2, as amended, to Legislative Council.
Moved Kirkmeyer
Seconded Michaelson Jenet
Bradley Yes
Duran Yes
Evans Yes
Froelich Yes
Joseph Yes
Kirkmeyer Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Pugliese Yes
Zenzinger Yes
Fields Yes
Young Yes
YES: 11   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
01:52:07 PM  
Represenatives Duran
and Pugliese and Senators Kirkmeyer and Michaelson Jenet were designated
as the co-prime sponsors for Bill Draft 2.  It was determined the
bill would be introduced in the Senate.  All of the remaining committee
members requested to be co-sponsors on Bill Draft 2.  Senator Kirkmeyer
requested that Senator B. Pelton also be added as a co-sponsor on Bill
Draft 2.


01:55:43 PM
 Motion Move to refer Bill Draft 5 to Legislative Council.
Moved Young
Seconded Bradley
Bradley Yes
Duran Yes
Evans Yes
Froelich Yes
Joseph Yes
Kirkmeyer Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Pugliese Yes
Zenzinger Yes
Fields Yes
Young Yes
YES: 11   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
01:55:44 PM  
Representatives Young
and Bradley and Senators Kirkmeyer and Fields were designated as the co-prime
bill sponsors for Bill Draft 5.  It was determined that the bill would
be introduced in the House.  All of the remaining committee members
requested to be co-sponsors on Bill Draft 5.


02:00:01 PM
 Motion Moved Amendment 7 (Attachment R) to Bill Draft 6.
Moved Joseph
Seconded Bradley
Bradley
Duran
Evans
Froelich
Joseph
Kirkmeyer
Michaelson Jenet
Pugliese
Zenzinger
Fields
Young
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


02:00:22 PM
 Motion Moved Amendment 6 (Attachment Q), as amended, to Bill Draft 6.
Moved Joseph
Seconded Bradley
Bradley
Duran
Evans
Froelich
Joseph
Kirkmeyer
Michaelson Jenet
Pugliese
Zenzinger
Fields
Young
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
02:00:23 PM  
The committee discussed
Bill Draft 6.


02:01:58 PM
 Motion Move to refer Bill Draft 6, as amended, to Legislative Council.
Moved Joseph
Seconded Bradley
Bradley Yes
Duran Yes
Evans Yes
Froelich Yes
Joseph Yes
Kirkmeyer Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Pugliese Yes
Zenzinger No
Fields Yes
Young Yes
YES: 10   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
02:01:59 PM  
Representatives Bradley
and Joseph and Senators Kirkmeyer and Michaelson Jenet were designated
as the co-prime sponsors on Bill Draft 6. It was determined that the bill
would be introduced in the House. All of the remaining committee members
requested to be co-sponsors on Bill Draft 6.


02:03:53 PM
 Motion Move Amendment 1 (Attachment U) to Bill Draft 7.
Moved Duran
Seconded Michaelson Jenet
Bradley
Duran
Evans
Froelich
Joseph
Kirkmeyer
Michaelson Jenet
Pugliese
Zenzinger
Fields
Young
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


02:04:34 PM
 Motion Move to refer Bill Draft 7, as amended, to Legislative Council.
Moved Duran
Seconded Michaelson Jenet
Bradley Yes
Duran Yes
Evans Yes
Froelich Yes
Joseph Yes
Kirkmeyer Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Pugliese Yes
Zenzinger Yes
Fields Yes
Young Yes
YES: 11   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


02:06:13 PM
 Motion Move to allow Senator Kolker to be a co-prime sponsor on Bill Draft 7.
Moved Michaelson Jenet
Seconded Duran
Bradley
Duran
Evans
Froelich
Joseph
Kirkmeyer
Michaelson Jenet
Pugliese
Zenzinger
Fields
Young
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
02:06:14 PM  
Represenatives Duran
and Evans and Senators Kolker and Kirkmeyer were designated as the co-prime
sponsors on Draft Bill 7.  It was determined that the bill would be
introduced in the House.  All of the remaining committee members requested
to be co-sponsors on Bill Draft 7.
02:06:43 PM  
The committee gave
permission given to the Office of Legislative Legal Services to make technical
changes to all of the bills, including updating language in the bill summaries
to reflect any adopted amendments and to update language in the safety
clauses.


02:08:47 PM
 Motion Move to send a letter to the Joint Technology Committee (Attachment JJ).
Moved Fields
Seconded Kirkmeyer
Bradley
Duran
Evans
Froelich
Joseph
Kirkmeyer
Michaelson Jenet
Pugliese
Zenzinger
Fields
Young
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
02:09:14 PM  
The committee gave
Legislative Council Staff permission to revise the letter to the Joint
Technology Committee to reflect the unanimous support from the entire committee
to send the letter.  



Committee members made concluding remarks about the committee.


02:12:10 PM   The committee adjourned.