Date: 03/20/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1248

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment J). The motion f
Refer House Bill 15-1248 to the Committee on Appro		FAIL
PASS



01:58 PM -- HB 15-1248

Representative Singer introduced HB 15-1248. The bill permits one representative at each child placement agency (CPA) in the state to access information maintained by a county department of social services concerning a current or prospective foster parent, an adult residing in the home of a current or prospective foster parent, or a specialized group facility. The information that a representative of a CPA may access is limited to information concerning whether a report of child abuse or neglect has been made regarding the person, the general nature of the alleged incident of child abuse or neglect, whether the report was screened for assessment, the outcome of any investigation, and the child care and child welfare licensing history of the individual.

02:01 PM -- Robert Werthwein, Colorado Department of Human Services, testified regarding the department's concerns with the bill. He stated the department's concerns relate to claims that are screened out or dismissed and whether CPAs should have access to those types of claims. He discussed access by CPAs to child welfare records in other states and stated that the department does not support the use of unsubstantiated information to make child placement decisions. Representative Singer responded to questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued regarding access to unsubstantiated or dismissed reports of child abuse or neglect. Mr. Werthwein continued to respond to committee questions regarding alleged cases of child abuse and neglect.

02:22 PM -- Jodi Walters, Fostering Colorado, testified in support of the bill, stating that it is about child safety. She described the types of information the bill would allow CPAs to access and how access to these records would promote child safety. She stated that counties already have access to this information, and the CPAs should have the same access. She noted that some counties already choose to share the information.

02:27 PM -- Amy Harder, Fostering Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the ways in which caseworkers can benefit from access to the information permitted by the bill.

02:30 PM -- Becky Miller Updike, Fostering Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She stated that CPAs are held to the same confidentiality standards as county and state child welfare workers. She responded to questions from the committee. Ms. Harder further responded to questions from the committee.

02:36 PM

Representative Landgraf distributed and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment J).

150320 AttachJ.pdf150320 AttachJ.pdf
BILL:HB15-1248
TIME: 02:37:20 PM
MOVED:Landgraf
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment J). The motion failed on a vote of 6-7.
SECONDED:Conti
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Danielson
No
Everett
Yes
Ginal
No
Joshi
Yes
Landgraf
Yes
Melton
No
Moreno
No
Sias
Yes
Tyler
No
Windholz
Yes
Singer
No
Primavera
No
YES: 6 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:HB15-1248
TIME: 02:46:32 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1248 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 11-2.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Danielson
Yes
Everett
No
Ginal
Yes
Joshi
No
Landgraf
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Sias
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Windholz
Yes
Singer
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




02:50 PM

The committee adjourned.