Date: 04/09/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1097

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 15-1097 to the Committee on StatePASS



03:36 PM -- HB 15-1097

Senator Newell presented House Bill 15-1097, concerning fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and recreating the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Commission as a commission under DHS and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment G). This bill dissolves an existing temporary commission called the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Commission and recreates it as a Type 2 agency within DHS beginning July 1, 2015. The commission will be composed of 12 members and must be appointed by the executive director of the DHS by July 30, 2015. The bill permits the executive director to appoint members to the commission who have previously served on the temporary commission. The bill requires the commission to meet at least once a year and the first meeting must be held by August 30, 2015. The commission is repealed on June 30, 2020. The commission must distribute and promote the use of health warning signs and other informational materials in community locations and for use by persons licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. The bill describes the minimum requirements of the health warning signs. The bill also requires that the presentence investigation of a juvenile in the juvenile justice system include a preliminary screening of whether the mother drank alcoholic beverages during the pregnancy and if the juvenile should be evaluated for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Under the bill, counties must also include the consideration of whether the child was prenatally exposed to alcohol in the screening, assessments, and individual case plans in dependency and neglect cases.

150409 AttachG.pdf150409 AttachG.pdf

03:39 PM -- Heidi Heissenbuttel, Sewall Child Development Center, spoke in support of the bill. She spoke about the problems that occur when children are incorrectly diagnosed and how the behavior of children can be changed when they receive a proper diagnosis.


03:46 PM -- Dr. Sharon Langendoerfer, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill. She spoke about her experience caring for children and babies affected by substance abuse. She stated that children who suffer from FASD do not understand cause and effect nor do they have the ability to plan ahead. She spoke about the history of the current commission which was founded in 2007. Dr. Langendoerfer responded to questions from committee about children with FASD who are in the foster care system.


03:56 PM -- Gianfranco Zizza, representing himself, spoke about his experience as a child with fetal alcohol syndrome.


03:58 PM -- Julene Zizza , NOFAS Colorado, spoke about her experience as the mother of a child who has fetal alcohol syndrome. She discussed her involvement with NOFAS Colorado and her experience with the Colorado Springs support group for families who have children with FASD.


04:08 PM -- Matt Cloven, Arc of Larimer County, spoke in support of the bill. He spoke about being an advocate for individuals who have disabilities relate to FASD, the lack of a support system for these individuals, and his experience working with public entities in Larimer County that have trained personnel to identify and assist individuals who have FASD.


04:16 PM -- Ms. Montgomery, March of Dimes, spoke in support of the bill and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment H). She spoke about the prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome, and told the committee about the activities of the commission.

150409 AttachH.pdf150409 AttachH.pdf

04:19 PM -- Marijo Rymer, Arc of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill and the efforts of the commission in regard to prevention of FASD.


04:21 PM

Senator Newell made closing comments. Committee discussion followed about requiring liquor stores to display FASD warning signs, and the ability of the commission to receive grant funding.


04:24 PM -- April Montgomery returned to the table to respond to questions about health care providers.


04:26 PM

Committee discussion followed about nonprofit agencies becoming part of the government and the effectiveness of the current structure of the commission. Committee members commented on the bill.

BILL:HB15-1097
TIME: 04:30:49 PM
MOVED:Newell
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1097 to the Committee on State, Veterans, and Military Affairs. The motion passed on a vote of 4-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Aguilar
Yes
Martinez Humenik
Yes
Newell
Yes
Crowder
Yes
Lundberg
No
Final YES: 4 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



4:30 PM

The committee adjourned.