Date: 02/18/2010

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB10-1032

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to adopt prepared amendment L.002 (Attachmen
Moved to refer House Bill 10-1032, as amended, to 		Pass Without Objection
PASS



02:26 PM -- House Bill 10-1032

Representative Frangas presented House Bill 10-1032. He described the bill as it came out of the interim Health Care Task Force. He stated that he would like to offer a strike below amendment to the bill L.002 (Attachment E). He stated that the strike below amendment would require the Department of Human Services to survey available resources to determine what services may be available to address persons in mental health or substance abuse crisis. Committee members discussed the bill's fiscal note.

100218AttachE.pdf

02:43 PM -- Stephen Kopanos, Mental Health America - Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He relayed a personal story concerning a mental health episode he had and stated that episode is one of the reasons why he supports the bill. He stated that Colorado is in need of crisis stabilization services. He stated that when an individual drinks something that is potentially poisonous, he or she can call poison control and get answers. He explained that no similar service exists for individuals in a mental health crisis. He stated that is it important to have a call center for reasons he previously mentioned. Committee members and the witness discussed the benefit of the state surveying its resources. Members discussed the current protocol regarding what happens when an individual has a medical crisis.

03:02 PM -- Wayne Maxwell, Executive Director, North Range Behavioral Health Center, testified in support of the bill with the adoption of amendment L.002 (Attachment E). He stated that the bill offers an opportunity for the various stakeholders to come together. He stated that merely having a coordinated response system cannot do much if the resources to help an individual are not available. He stated that he supports a regional support system rather than a statewide system as different parts of the state have different needs.

03:11 PM -- Larry Krause, concerned citizen, spoke in support of the bill. He stated that he was diverted from a hospital with a psychological unit when he was in crisis. He stated that he was arrested and now has a felony on his record. He stated that it is important to address the issue of mental illness in the community.

03:13 PM -- Chris Habgood, Division of Behavioral Health, Department of Human Services, spoke in support of services for mental health and substance abuse. He stated that he has not reviewed the strike below amendment, but supports the original bill. He commented on the need for mental health services. He described several different plans that different states use for their behavioral health needs.

03:25 PM -- Amanda Smith, We Can!, spoke in support of the bill. She stated her organization represents individuals who use mental health and behavioral health services. She stated that the need for a coordinated crisis system is crucial. She stated that the emergency room is not the ideal place for an individual who is experiencing a crisis.

03:39 PM

Representative Frangas provided concluding remarks to the bill.

BILL:HB10-1032
TIME: 03:42:05 PM
MOVED:Gagliardi
MOTION:Moved to adopt prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Apuan
VOTE
Acree
Apuan
Gerou
Kefalas
Kerr J.
Primavera
Roberts
Swalm
Tyler
Gagliardi
Riesberg
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB10-1032
TIME: 03:43:21 PM
MOVED:Gagliardi
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 10-1032, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 11-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Apuan
VOTE
Acree
Yes
Apuan
Yes
Gerou
Yes
Kefalas
Yes
Kerr J.
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Roberts
Yes
Swalm
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Gagliardi
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




03:53 PM

The committee took a brief recess.