Date: 04/16/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1341

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Move to refer House Bill 09-1341, as amended, to t
Moved to adopt prepared amendment L.001 (Attachmen		PASS
Pass Without Objection



04:11 PM -- House Bill 09-1341

Representative Pace presented House Bill 09-1341, which continues the licensing and regulation of the psychiatric technicians (LPTs) by the State Board of Nursing until July 1, 2019. A fact sheet in support of the bill was provided to the committee (Attachment A). Representative Pace spoke to amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

09HouseHHS0416AttachA.pdf 09HouseHHS0416AttachB.pdf

04:17 PM -- William Ortiz, Colorado State Hospital, Colorado Psychiatric Technician Association, spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Ortiz provided a historical background to the licensing of psychiatric technicians. He stated it is important to continue the licensing of this group of individuals in order to promote the best care for those who suffer from mental illness.

04:23 PM -- Joselyn Gay, Deputy Executive Director, Behavioral Health and Housing, Department of Human Services, spoke in support of the bill. She stated that the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) recommended in its sunset review that psychiatric technicians not be licensed. Ms. Gay stated that while they respect the DORA's recommendations, the Department of Human Services supports the continuation of licensure. She stated she supports licensure because it is one of the most efficient means to ensure quality of care for the particular population these psychiatric technicians serve. She stated that one of the reasons that DORA recommended that psychiatric technicians not be licensed was due to the small number of technicians in the state.

04:47 PM -- Glenna Nickens, Pueblo Regional Center, psychiatric technician, spoke in support of the bill. She described her training to become a psychiatric technician. She stated that being licensed ensures that the people that care for individuals with mental illness provide quality care.

04:56 PM -- Jose Medina, psychiatric technician, Colorado Mental Health Institute of Colorado at Pueblo, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Medina explained his duties at the Colorado Mental Health Institute. He described the population that he treats at the mental institute. He stated that many of the individuals at the institute are there because they committed a crime and were found not guilty by reason of insanity. He described psychiatric technicians' training to de-escalate a potential violent situation.


05:05 PM

Representative Pace spoke to amendment L.001 (Attachment B). He stated that DORA is neutral to the bill and worked with him with on the amendment.
BILL:HB09-1341
TIME: 05:08:03 PM
MOVED:Gagliardi
MOTION:Moved to adopt prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Kagan
VOTE
Acree
Gerou
Green
Kagan
Kefalas
Excused
Kerr J.
Nikkel
Primavera
Swalm
Gagliardi
Riesberg
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB09-1341
TIME: 05:09:09 PM
MOVED:Green
MOTION:Move to refer House Bill 09-1341, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 6-4 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Gagliardi
VOTE
Acree
No
Gerou
No
Green
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Kefalas
Excused
Kerr J.
Yes
Nikkel
No
Primavera
Yes
Swalm
No
Gagliardi
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 4 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



05:15 PM

Representative Riesberg spoke to the Chronic Care Collaborative and provided two handouts to the committee (Attachment C). The committee adjourned.

09HouseHHS0416AttachC.pdf