Date: 04/16/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB13-1296

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, INSURANCE & ENVIRONMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment D). The motion p
Refer House Bill 13-1296, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS



11:59 AM -- House Bill 13-1296

Representative McCann presented House Bill 13-1296 concerning civil commitment statutes. The bill creates the Civil Commitment Statute Review Committee in the Department of Human Services to meet during the 2013 legislative interim. The task force is required to study and prepare recommendations concerning the consolidation of mental health, alcohol, and substance abuse disorder statutes concerning civil commitments. The bill specifies the membership of the task force, which includes two legislative members. The task force is required to submit a report of its recommendations to the executive director of the Department of Human Services and relevant legislative committees. The task force must hold its first meeting no later than July 15, 2013, and submit its report by November 1, 2013. In addition, the bill defines "danger to self and others" and amends the definition of "gravely disabled" in current law concerning civil commitments.

Representative Kraft-Tharp commented on the bill and her experience working with people experiencing mental health crises. Representative McCann responded to questions about the task force created by the bill, who has the ability to place someone on a 72-hour hold, and the definitions that are amended and added by the bill.


12:18 PM -- Dr. Jennifer Hagman, Colorado Psychiatric Society, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the need to review the involuntary commitment process. Dr. Hagman responded to a question about rural representation on the task force.


12:20 PM -- Dr. Dave Ross, Colorado Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians and Colorado Medical Society, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the emergency department perspective on mental health holds.


12:25 PM -- Reggie Bicha, Department of Human Services, testified on the bill. He discussed the Governor's plan to redesign and strengthen Colorado's mental health services and supports. Mr. Bicha discussed the utilization of the civil commitment system, the changes the bill makes to certain definitions, and co-occurring disorders. Mr. Bicha responded to questions about the task force membership and the definitions in the bill.


12:32 PM -- Grayson Robinson, Arapahoe County Sheriff, testified in support of the bill. He discussed law enforcement involvement with people who are in need of mental health or substance abuse services. The committee recessed due to a fire alarm.


01:04 PM

The committee came back to order. Sheriff Robinson continued his testimony. He discussed the task force created by the bill. Sheriff Robinson responded to questions about the task force membership, jail populations, and how law enforcement officers treat persons who have brain injuries.


01:11 PM -- Kristian Teegardin, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He discussed mental illness and the need for preventative and proactive mental health services.


01:14 PM -- Michael Stafford, Denver City Attorney's Office, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the definitions in the bill. Mr. Stafford responded to a question about the interpretation of current definitions related to civil commitments by the courts. Representative Kraft-Tharp commented on the definitions in the bill. Mr. Stafford responded to a question about who can determine whether someone should be placed in a short-term involuntary hold.


01:23 PM -- Ron Liggett, representing himself, testified on the bill. He discussed the need for choices and resources in the mental health system. Mr. Liggett and Representative Kraft-Tharp responded to questions about the task force membership.


01:28 PM -- Evan Silverman, representing himself, testified on the bill. He discussed his experience with mental illness and civil commitments.


01:38 PM

Representative McCann discussed amendment L.002 (Attachment D).

130416 AttachD.pdf130416 AttachD.pdf
BILL:HB13-1296
TIME: 01:40:08 PM
MOVED:McCann
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Schafer
VOTE
Conti
Duran
Fields
Ginal
Humphrey
Joshi
Primavera
Stephens
Swalm
Schafer
McCann
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



01:40 PM

Representative Fields and Representative Schafer commented on the bill. Representative McCann and Representative Kraft-Tharp made concluding remarks on the bill.


BILL:HB13-1296
TIME: 01:45:02 PM
MOVED:McCann
MOTION:Refer House Bill 13-1296, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Duran
Yes
Fields
Yes
Ginal
Yes
Humphrey
Yes
Joshi
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Stephens
Yes
Swalm
Yes
Schafer
Yes
McCann
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




01:46 PM

Representative Schafer announced that the committee would not meet on Thursday, April 18, and adjourned the committee.