Treatment of Persons with Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System (10/26/2009)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Date:	10/26/2009	ATTENDANCE

Time:	02:01 PM to 02:30 PM	Acree	X
		Renfroe	X
Place:	HCR 0111	Solano	E
		Tochtrop	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Boyd	X
	Representative Labuda	Labuda	X

This Report was prepared by
	Jessika Shipley
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Consideration of Proposed Legislation New Task Force Members Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice		Draft Bill A recommended to Legislative Council - -

02:01 PM -- Consideration of Proposed Legislation

Representative Labuda welcomed the committee.

02:03 PM -- Michael Dohr, Office of Legislative Legal Services, presented Draft Bill A (Attachment A). Mr. Dohr provided background information about the demonstration programs that are being amended by the bill. The programs were established by House Bill 07-1057 which established the Family Advocacy Demonstration Programs. The focus of the programs is on youth with mental illness or co-occurring disorders who are currently involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system. The task force recommended the bill with the goal of providing youth and their families access to necessary services and supports and to assist them in navigating through a complex system. Three separate demonstration programs were created; one urban, one suburban, and one rural. All three programs began operating in 2008 and are set to conclude in 2011. Draft Bill A addresses the fact that current law does not specifically allow a family member, such as a parent or primary care giver, to act as a family advocate. The bill also creates a new title, family systems navigator, for individuals who are not family members, but are qualified to provide services and supports under the demonstration programs.

02:05 PM

Representative Labuda discussed the need for a safety clause.

02:06 PM -- Chris Hapgood, Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health, informed the committee that the demonstration programs are currently in place and are functioning.

02:07 PM

Senator Renfroe asked if the new definitions in the bill exist anywhere else in statute. Mr. Hapgood stated that the definitions only refer to this particular program. Senator Renfroe asked about the practical difference between a family systems navigator and a family advocate. He asked if the clarification in the bill will increase costs Mr. Hapgood replied that he does not foresee a fiscal impact as a result of the change. Representative Acree asked how long the demonstration programs are scheduled to last. Mr. Dohr answered that the programs are set to sunset in July 2011. Representative Acree asked if the bill provides for oversight of the individuals serving as family advocates or family systems navigators. Mr. Dohr replied that the original bill requires a report on the outcomes of the demonstration programs.

02:12 PM

Senator Renfroe asked about the need for the change. He wanted to know why family systems navigators were not involved in the original legislation. Mr. Hapgood explained that the programs have evolved over time and changes to the statutory language help keep the law in line with the practical reality of running such programs. Senator Renfroe asked about the role of parents under the old definition that is being changed by the bill. Mr. Dohr answered that the bill narrows the definition of the players in the system to better address the needs of families in the justice system.


BILL:	Consideration of Proposed Legislation
TIME:	02:17:18 PM
MOVED:	Tochtrop
MOTION:	Refer Draft Bill A (Attachment A) to Legislative Council for approval. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0, with 1 excused.
SECONDED:	Boyd
		VOTE
	Acree	Yes
	Renfroe	Yes
	Solano	Excused
	Tochtrop	Yes
	Boyd	Yes
	Labuda	Yes

Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:	Consideration of Proposed Legislation
TIME:	02:17:56 PM
MOVED:	Acree
MOTION:	Add a safety clause to the bill. The motion passed on a vote of 4-1, with 1 excused.
SECONDED:	Boyd
		VOTE
	Acree	Yes
	Renfroe	No
	Solano	Excused
	Tochtrop	Yes
	Boyd	Yes
	Labuda	Yes

Not Final YES: 4 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:18 PM

Senator Tochtrop agreed to sponsor the bill in the Senate. Representative Labuda assigned Representative Solano to be the House sponsor of the bill. She asked for co-sponsors. Senator Boyd and Representative Labuda agreed to co-sponsor the bill.

02:19 PM -- New Task Force Members

Caren Leaf, Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Corrections, introduced herself and stated her interest in serving on the task force.

02:20 PM

Michelle Lapidow, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, introduced herself and stated her interest in serving on the task force.

02:21 PM

Representative Labuda welcomed both women to the task force.

02:21 PM -- Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice

Chris Hapgood returned to discuss the work of the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) and how it relates to the Task Force for the Continuing Examination of the Treatment of Persons with Mental Illness who are Involved in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems (task force). Mr. Hapgood talked about the collaborative efforts between several groups that work on similar issues of concern, including the CCJJ and the task force. He discussed the fact that the task force is only recommending one piece of legislation for the 2010 legislative session because the collaborative groups are trying to study the issues carefully and avoid duplication of efforts.

02:26 PM

Senator Tochtrop asked if sentencing reform is being incorporated with the work of the task force. The committee talked about a number of groups that are actively working collaboratively at this time.

02:29 PM

Representative Labuda referred to a chart prepared by Legislative Council staff, showing the members of the task force (Attachment B). She discussed openings on the task force and asked members of the oversight committee to let her know if they have suggestions for filling the vacancies. She adjourned the committee.