Date: 05/04/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1351

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Postpone House Bill 15-1351 indefinitely using a r
Refer House Bill 15-1351 to the Committee of the W		PASS
FAIL



03:25 PM -- HB15-1351

Senator Marble presented House Bill 15-1351. The bill requires that any complaint filed with DORA against a mental health professional be filed within seven years of an alleged act or failure to act. This bill applies only to complaints concerning violations relating to the maintenance of records for adult patients by regulated mental health professionals. This limitation does not apply to other prohibited professional practices. Covered mental health professionals include psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, addiction counselors, and psychotherapists.


03:28 PM -- Michael Lott-Manier, Mental Health America of Colorado (MHA), testified against the bill and provided a handout to the committee that reflects MHA's position on the bill (Attachment A). Committee discussion followed about the need to maintain professional records and the regulatory boards' rules and regulations associated with maintaining records.


150504 AttachA.pdf150504 AttachA.pdf

03:38 PM -- Jennifer Hill, Colorado Mental Wellness Network, spoke against the bill. She discussed the difficulty that some mental health patients have bringing forth complaints in a timely manner.


03:41 PM -- Michael Holtby, Denver Therapist Network, spoke in support of the bill. He spoke about the difficulty he has maintaining the records he has collected over the course of his 48 year career.


03:46 PM -- Dr. Reo Leslie, Colorado Mental Health Professional Association, spoke in support of the bill. He provided a copy of his testimony to the committee (Attachment B). Dr. Leslie stated that anyone can file a complaint against mental health professionals, not just patients. Dr. Leslie responded to questions from the committee about maintaining patient files.

150504 AttachB.pdf150504 AttachB.pdf

03:55 PM

Committee discussion followed about the nature of patient complaints filed against providers and the length of time from the date of service to the time the complaint is filed.


03:58 PM -- Pam Mills, Colorado Mental Health Professionals Association, spoke in support of the bill. She spoke about the difficulty mental health providers face when trying to maintain files for an extended period of time.


04:02 PM -- Ronne Hines, DORA, responded to questions from the committee about the number of complaints that are filed seven or more years after the alleged grievance occurred, the length of time that medical records are maintained, and the effect a negative ruling by a court may have on a practitioners license.


04:14 PM

The committee recessed.


04:15 PM

The committee came back to order. Senator Marble made closing comments. Committee members commented on the bill.
BILL:HB15-1351
TIME: 04:20:58 PM
MOVED:Crowder
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1351 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 2-3.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Aguilar
No
Martinez Humenik
No
Newell
No
Crowder
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
YES: 2 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:HB15-1351
TIME: 04:21:33 PM
MOVED:Aguilar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 15-1351 indefinitely using a reversal of the previous roll call. There was no objection to the use of the reverse roll call, therefore, the bill was postponed indefinitely. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Aguilar
Yes
Martinez Humenik
Yes
Newell
Yes
Crowder
No
Lundberg
No
Final YES: 3 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION:

04:21 PM

The committee adjourned.