Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Date:10/17/2005
ATTENDANCE
Time:09:08 AM to 10:06 AM
Kester
E
Solano
X
Place:HCR 0109
Stafford
X
Takis
E
This Meeting was called to order by
Windels
X
Representative Jahn
Jahn
X
This Report was prepared by
Jessika Shipley
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Introduction
LLS NO. 06-0067-01
LLS NO. 06-0068-01		-
-
-


09:08 AM

Representative Jahn welcomed the committee and did introductions around the room. She introduced Harriet Hall, chair of the task force, for a review of the September 29 meeting of the task force. Jeanne Smith, vice-chair of the task force, also came to the table. The first item they discussed was a review of legislation. The next item was a presentation by Doctors Rick Stewart and Andrew Shopek, Colorado Psychological Association, regarding proposed legislation that would authorize psychologists to perform competency evaluations. The task force members asked for guidance from the oversight committee regarding the proposed bill. Moira Cullen, Colorado Psychological Association, stated that the bill will be sponsored by Rep. Terrance Carroll. The task force elected a new chair and vice-chair. The task force also heard a presentation via teleconference from Connie Milligan and Ray Sabbatine on the Kentucky Jail Mental Health Crisis Network which blends jail management and mental health screening. A phone triage system is used to meet the special needs of mentally ill inmates in the criminal justice system. The task force members were impressed by the Kentucky system and set up a new sub-committee to study the program and issues of jail crisis management. Rep. Jahn asked how the task force chose the Kentucky program as a model. Ms. Hall stated that a task force member met Connie Milligan at a conference and felt it would be useful to hear Ms. Milligan's presentation. Ms. Smith stated that she was especially impressed with the dramatic reduction in jail suicides and the simplicity of the program. Ms. Hall pointed out the Colorado does have a screening instrument in place, but there is no mandate that it be used.









09:22 AM

Ms. Hall continued explaining the current screening process and how it is designed to be used by jail employees rather than mental health professionals. Representative Solano asked if Ms. Hall and the other task force members know why the screening process is not being used. Ms. Hall stated that many jail personnel are concerned that there is a fundamental problem with identifying needs that cannot be met due to budget constraints. Representative Stafford asked how administrative costs would be addressed. She wanted to know what additional costs would be incurred. Ms. Hall answered that the sub-committee is studying that issue. The report of the task force meeting continued with items about the Continuity of Care sub-committee report, the Jefferson County Pilot Re-entry Project, which is now up and running, and a presentation from Jennifer Moe, Legislative Council, regarding a workshop she attended on substance abuse issues.


09:30 AM

Michael Dohr, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to discuss the two bill proposals. The first bill (LLS NO. 06-0067-01) concerns mental health services coverage in a situation where the services are court-ordered. It requires health plans to cover mental health services that are ordered by a court. The bill defines what mental health services are and what they are not. It does not mandate that health plans provides mental health services. Representative Stafford asked if dual diagnosis was considered in drafting this bill. Ms. Hall replied that the issue of substance abuse treatment was considered a few years ago and that legislation was very similar to this bill. Senator Windels asked if the insurance companies are on board with this bill. Ms. Hall answered that the feedback from the insurance companies indicates that they believe it is slightly redundant, but they have provided input and they seem mostly satisfied. Senator Windels asked what difference exist between the original bill and this bill. Mr. Dohr replied that the main difference is the addition of definitions for various terms. Senator Windels moved the bill and Representative Stafford seconded the motion. Senator Windels suggested that Senator Takis be the Senate sponsor of the bill and Representative Solano offered to be the House sponsor.
BILL:LLS NO. 06-0067-01
TIME: 09:33:58 AM
MOVED:Windels
MOTION:Moved that bill number LLS 067 be moved forward with the recommendation of the oversight committee on the continuing examination of the treatment of persons with mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Kester
Excused
Solano
Yes
Stafford
Yes
Takis
Excused
Windels
Yes
Jahn
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS







09:44 AM

Mr. Dohr continued with an explanation of LLS NO. 06-0068-01, concerning demonstration programs for juvenile justice mental health family advocates. The bill provides a declaration of the necessity of such programs, it establishes the programs, it provides a scope for such programs, it creates a reporting system for the programs, and sets the legislation to repeal on July 1, 2009. Senator Windels asked how the programs would be financed. Ms. Hall replied that the bill would come with a fiscal note and no current funding exists. The task force members are aware that the fiscal note will very likely cause problems for the bill. Senator Windels expressed concern that federal funding for demonstration programs like the ones proposed have recently been cut sharply. Representative Stafford asked if the task force had addressed the possibility of private funding. Ms. Hall replied that the task force has not considered that to date. Representative Stafford asked if Ms. Hall had any idea what the actual cost would be for this bill. Ms. Hall stated that a number has not been determined.


09:50 AM

Pilar Ingargiola and Jewelya Lynne, Consultants for Systems Integration (CSI), came to the table and explained to the committee how her group determined what the bill should address. They used community focus groups to examine the existing system and study the issue of family advocacy. Other states have seen success with the flexibility that family advocacy brings to the system. It allows individual communities to determine what works best for them. Representative Jahn asked what other states have family advocacy programs that might be used as a model. Ms. Lynne replied that system of care grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have gone to virtually every state. Representative Stafford asked if this model would bridge well with the family-to-family model. Ms. Lynne answered that this kind of program would bring systems and communities together. Representative Stafford asked if there is a potential for prevention in this legislation. Ms. Ingargiola stated that CSI tried to keep the language broad in order to expand the prevention potential for youth that are at risk for entering the criminal justice system.
BILL:LLS NO. 06-0068-01
TIME: 09:54:28 AM
MOVED:Stafford
MOTION:Moved that the committee carry forward LLS 068 with a favorable recommendation.
SECONDED:Solano
VOTE
Kester
Excused
Solano
Yes
Stafford
Yes
Takis
Excused
Windels
Yes
Jahn
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS











10:02 AM

The committee discussed future meeting dates. the next meeting will be held on November 28 at 9:00 a.m. in HCR 0109.


10:06 AM

The meeting adjourned.