Date: 03/31/2015
Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1302
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES
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03:38 PM -- HB 15-1302
Representative Primavera introduced House Bill 15-1302. The bill requires administrators of assisted living facilities to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Operators of assisted living facilities must ensure that all administrators complete the continuing education requirements and maintain proof of fulfillment for each administrator. She responded to questions from the committee regarding why the bill does not require caregivers to participate in continuing education.
03:44 PM -- Tamara Meurer, Northern Colorado Living Solutions, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated that she is not opposed to continuing education requirements, but discussed the burden this requirement may place on small assisted living facilities. She questioned the number of hours of continuing education required by the bill and stated that caregivers need training on how to intervene with high-needs clients. She spoke in support of education for caregivers and more opportunities for administrators to earn the required hours of continuing education.
03:50 PM -- Rachel Robertson, Bright Assisted Living, testified in opposition to the bill. She spoke regarding the operation of a small assisted living facility. She responded to questions from the committee regarding the size of her facility.
03:54 PM -- Doug Macallister, Meadowlark and Terry Lake Assisted Living, testified in opposition to the bill. He spoke to the difficulties of operating a small assisted living facility and noted that there are already continuing education options available for administrators. He stated that a lot of rules and regulations are built around larger facilities and do not consider the needs of smaller facilities.
03:58 PM -- Anne Meier, State Long-term Care Ombudsman, testified in a neutral position on the bill. She discussed the role of the ombudsman and distributed two handouts to the committee (Attachments B and C).
150331 AttachB.pdf
150331 AttachC.pdf
04:03 PM -- Clark Grieg, Jewell Insurance, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.
04:09 PM -- Kim Hansler, Frazier Meadow Assisted Living and Colorado Assisted Living Association, testified in support of the bill and stated that assisted living is an evolving industry and her hope is that the bill will implement a new professional standard in the industry. She noted that many individuals are currently complying with the bill's requirements and there is no cost to the state for the bill. She noted that there are various opportunities to obtain the continuing education, and residents of assisted living facilities deserve well-trained professionals.
04:12 PM -- Lyle Campbell, Saint Bernadette Assisted Living, testified in support of the bill and described his role as the administrator of two small assisted living residences. He stated that his hope was that the bill would lead to a more defined curriculum and allow assisted living residence administrators to be on the same page.
04:15 PM -- Bill Boles, Colorado Assisted Living Association, testified in support of the bill. He stated that there is a need for continuing education given the growth in the industry to level the playing field between those professionals who obtain additional training and those who do not. He stated that the bill does not dictate the type of continuing education that will fulfill the bill's requirements. He responded to questions from the committee.
04:21 PM
Representative Primavera commented on the bill. Representative Singer laid the bill over.