Bill Summary for Bill Number HB12-1140

Date: 02/16/2012

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB12-1140

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment F). The motion p Moved to refer House Bill 12-1140, as amended, to	Pass Without Objection PASS

04:07 PM -- House Bill 12-1140

Representative Jones presented House Bill 12-1140, concerning the duties of the Department of Public Health and Environment as coordinator for suicide prevention programs throughout the state. Current law designates the Department of Public Health and Environment as the coordinator of suicide prevention programs throughout the state. The bill requires the department, in its coordinator role, to work with hospitals to determine the appropriate materials to distribute when a minor has attempted suicide or has exhibited a suicidal gesture. The bill includes information about when the materials would be provided and what should be included in the materials. Representative Jones distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment F) to the committee. He described the amendment, which makes the bill permissive with regards to the collaboration with hospitals, includes both adults and minors, and includes reporting requirements. He stated the groups that are supporting the bill, if it is amended by amendment L.001 (Attachment F).

04:11 PM -- Matt Vogl, Suicide Prevention Coalition, testified in support of the bill. He shared several suicide statistics, including that Colorado is currently ranked sixth in the nation for suicide deaths. The committee dialogued with Representative Jones about why the legislation was being run as a bill and not a resolution.

04:18 PM -- Kathy Valentine, Hope Coalition of Boulder County, testified in support of the bill. She described one family's experience after their son attempted suicide. Ms. Valentine responded to questions about the type of follow-up care that is occurring after suicide attempts and the mass media's messages about suicide. The committee dialogued about the need for awareness and education about the risk factors for suicide.

04:30 PM -- Sean Weller, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the research that the Colorado Youth Advisory Council has done on suicide. He discussed the need to provide education about the risk factors for suicide. He described his experience of having a brother who has suicidal thoughts. Mr. Weller responded to questions about whether the Colorado Youth Advisory Council could assist with the implementation of the bill.

04:41 PM -- Patricia Clark, The Second Wind Fund, Inc., testified in support of the bill. She discussed the efforts of The Second Wind Fund, Inc. to address suicide. She described her experience as a parent of teenagers who have had friends who have died from suicide or who have had suicidal thoughts.

04:48 PM -- Jarrod Hindman, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, responded to questions about how the reporting requirements would be changed by House Bill 12-1140.

04:51 PM -- Michael Lott-Manier, Mental Health America of Colorado, testified in support of the bill and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment G).


BILL:	HB12-1140
TIME:	04:53:49 PM
MOVED:	Massey
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Acree
		VOTE
	Bradford	Excused
	Brown
	Fields	Excused
	Joshi
	Kefalas
	Kerr J.
	Massey
	McCann	Excused
	Peniston
	Schafer S.
	Young
	Acree
	Summers

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 3 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

04:54 PM

The committee took a brief recess.

04:58 PM

The committee came back to order.


BILL:	HB12-1140
TIME:	04:58:59 PM
MOVED:	Summers
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 12-1140, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0 with 2 members excused.
SECONDED:	Acree
		VOTE
	Bradford	Excused
	Brown	Yes
	Fields	Yes
	Joshi	Yes
	Kefalas	Yes
	Kerr J.	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	McCann	Excused
	Peniston	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Young	Yes
	Acree	Yes
	Summers	Yes

YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

05:00 PM

The committee adjourned.