Date: 03/20/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB15-087

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.023 (Attachment B). The motion p
Adopt amendment L.026 (Attachment C), as amended.
Adopt amendment L.027 (Attachment E). The motion p
Adopt amendment L.028 (Attachment D). The motion p
Amend L.026 (Attachment C), page 1, line 27 strike
Refer Senate Bill 15-087, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS
Pass Without Objection
Pass Without Objection
Pass Without Objection
PASS



11:53 AM -- SB 15-087

Representative Singer introduced Senate Bill 15-087. The bill reorganizes existing statutes concerning foster care homes, adds new definitions regarding kinship foster care, and adds several new requirements and clarifications concerning background checks for certain types of kinship care homes. Representative Singer discussed a recent audit of the child welfare system, and noted that the audit found that some kinship foster care homes were not subject to background checks. Representative Singer explained that the bill makes potential foster parents subject to a uniform set of background checks in a timely manner.

12:00 PM -- Carla Bennett, Colorado League of Women Voters, testified in support of the bill. She stated that when children are removed from their homes, the state has an obligation to place them in a safe home. She spoke regarding the importance of stable placements for children.

12:06 PM -- Megan Davis, Boulder County Commissioners' Office, testified in support of the bill. She stated that the bill codifies some background check requirements that were previously only in rule. She described other clarifying changes made by the bill.

12:08 PM -- Judy Rodriguez, Larimer County Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

12:08 PM -- Dorothy Macias, Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee regarding the length of time it takes to complete a background check and information that is available about allegations of child abuse or neglect.

12:22 PM -- Dennis Goodwin, Child Protection Ombudsman, testified in support of the bill. He stated that background checks are tools to allow caseworkers to make more informed decisions about placements. He explained that the bill allows a conviction for unlawful sexual behavior to be a disqualifying offense for a kinship care placement.


12:24 PM

Representative Singer discussed and distributed amendments L.023, L.026, L.028, and L.027. (Attachments B through E). Debbie Haskins, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to explain amendment L.023.

150320 AttachB.pdf150320 AttachB.pdf150320 AttachC.pdf150320 AttachC.pdf150320 AttachD.pdf150320 AttachD.pdf150320 AttachE.pdf150320 AttachE.pdf
BILL:SB15-087
TIME: 12:26:02 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.023 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Conti
Danielson
Everett
Ginal
Joshi
Landgraf
Melton
Moreno
Sias
Tyler
Windholz
Singer
Primavera
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

12:27 PM

Representative Singer explained amendment L.026. The committee took a brief recess. The committee reconvened and discussed amendment L.026. Debbie Haskins responded to questions from the committee regarding the amendment's language.

BILL:SB15-087
TIME: 12:28:35 PM
MOVED:Moreno
MOTION:Amend L.026 (Attachment C), page 1, line 27 strike "may" and substitute "shall." The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Singer
VOTE
Conti
Danielson
Everett
Ginal
Joshi
Landgraf
Melton
Moreno
Sias
Tyler
Windholz
Singer
Primavera
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

12:29 PM

Representative Sias asked a question regarding permanent flags on fingerprint records for foster parents.

12:28 PM -- Chris Schaefer, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, came to the table to respond to questions from the committee regarding fingerprint records flags and amendment L.026.
BILL:SB15-087
TIME: 12:32:38 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.026 (Attachment C), as amended. The motion passed on a vote of 7-6.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Conti
No
Danielson
Yes
Everett
No
Ginal
Yes
Joshi
No
Landgraf
No
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Sias
No
Tyler
Yes
Windholz
No
Singer
Yes
Primavera
Yes
YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

12:35 PM

Representative Singer explained amendment L.028 (Attachment D). The committee discussed the amendment's terminology regarding the Judicial Department's background check system. Ms. Haskins responded to committee questions regarding this issue.

12:37 PM -- Terry Scanlon, Judicial Department, came to the table to respond to committee questions regarding amendment L.028.

BILL:SB15-087
TIME: 12:42:19 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.028 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Moreno
VOTE
Conti
Danielson
Everett
Ginal
Joshi
Landgraf
Melton
Moreno
Sias
Tyler
Windholz
Singer
Primavera
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

12:43 PM

Representative Singer explained amendment L.027 (Attachment E). Ms. Haskins responded to committee questions regarding the amendment.

12:46 PM

Jodi Walters, Fostering Colorado, came to the table to explain amendment L.027. She responded to questions from the committee.

BILL:SB15-087
TIME: 12:51:57 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.027 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Moreno
VOTE
Conti
Danielson
Everett
Ginal
Joshi
Landgraf
Melton
Moreno
Sias
Tyler
Windholz
Singer
Primavera
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


12:53 PM

Representative Singer gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. Members of the committee commented on the bill.
BILL:SB15-087
TIME: 12:55:53 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-087, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 12-1.
SECONDED:Moreno
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Danielson
Yes
Everett
No
Ginal
Yes
Joshi
Yes
Landgraf
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Sias
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Windholz
Yes
Singer
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Final YES: 12 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS