Date: 02/02/2009
Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1119
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
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02:20 PM -- House Bill 09-1119
Representative Vigil presented House Bill 09-1119 which will raise revenue to help cities and counties provide substance abuse programs to rural communities. He stated that the program is intended to be self-funded with minimal start up costs. He stated that the bill creates the Rural Alcohol and Substance Abuse Grant Program in the Department of Human Services, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. He stated that the bill provides grants to any entity that provides youth with alcohol and substance abuse treatment or services in rural areas. The committee asked several questions of the sponsor regarding the funding mechanism of the bill.
02:31 PM -- Michael Seaman, Crossroads, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Seaman spoke to the lack of resources for substance abuse issues in rural communities. He stated that a detoxification program saved his life.
02:40 PM -- Amanda Bowsher, Crossroads, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Bowsher recounted her personal story and how it lead her to Crossroads. Ms. Bowsher stated that detoxification is instrumental in helping individuals get to recovery.
02:58 PM -- Dustin Kelver, Crossroads, testified in support of the bill. He stated he is a volunteer at Crossroads and speaks with addicts. He recounted his personal story to the committee. He stated that during his detoxification, the people treated him like a human being and that was very important to him in his recovery process.
03:03 PM -- Mark Randall, Colorado District Attorney's Council, testified in support of the bill. He stated that district attorneys are always looking for a beneficial drug treatment program. He emphasized the need for services in rural communities. He stated the bill sets up a fund so that rural communities may use that money to fund programs.
03:11 PM -- Bill Hanna, Department of Human Services, stated that the department is supportive of the goals of the program. He stated that he wanted to work on an amendment so that the administrative aspect could be worked out. He stated that the department would like to work with the sponsor of the bill on amendments.
03:14 PM
Representative Vigil stated that he would like to work with the department on amendments. The bill was laid over to February 5, 2009.