Date: 05/04/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB15-289

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 15-289 to the Committee on FinanPASS



02:17 PM -- SB15-289

Senator Crowder presented Senate Bill 15-289. Senate Bill 15-289 specifies that fees associated with assisted living facilities established by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) cannot increase by more than the inflation rate.


02:18 PM -- Randy Kurkendall, CDPHE, spoke in opposition to the bill. He discussed the assisted living market in Colorado and the number of inspectors that CDHPE needs in order to adequately inspect assisted living facilities. Committee discussion followed about other funding options available for inspectors and other entities that inspect assisted living facilities. Mr. Kurkendall told the committee that some facilities have not been inspected for five years since there are currently only seven inspectors. He explained that inspectors must investigate complaints against facilities as they are received which often delays the regular inspections of facilities.


02:35 PM

Committee discussion continued about the number of inspections performed by CDPHE, the anticipated increase in the licensing fees for assisted living facilities, and the inspection of assisted living facilities by state and local agencies.


02:42 PM -- Jayla Sanchez Warren, Denver Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging, testified in opposition to the bill. She spoke about the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and its role in addressing the concerns of residents of assisted living facilities.


02:47 PM -- Gayle Berry, Leading Age CO, spoke in support of the bill. Committee discussion followed about CDPHE's responsibility to consider the Consumer Price Index when setting fees and previous legislation that set fees for assisted living facilities.


02:55 PM

Senator Crowder made closing comments. Committee members commented on the bill.
BILL:SB15-289
TIME: 02:58:17 PM
MOVED:Crowder
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-289 to the Committee on Finance. The motion passed on a vote of 3-2.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Aguilar
No
Martinez Humenik
Yes
Newell
No
Crowder
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Final YES: 3 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS