Bill Summary for Bill Number HB09-1021

Date: 01/15/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1021

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 09-1021 to the Committee of the W	PASS

01:35 PM -- House Bill 09-1021

Representative Solano, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1021, concerning the extension of the study of the Treatment of Persons with Mental Illness who are Involved in the Criminal Juvenile Justice Systems. The bill was recommended by the legislative oversight committee and task force associated with the study. It extends the repeal date from 2010 to 2015 for the oversight committee and the associated task force. The bill also adds a representative of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to the task force, bringing the total number of members to 31. The previous authorizing legislation laid out a set of topics for the task force to study each year. This bill alters that method slightly by providing some guideline topics that need to be considered at some point between July 1, 2009, and July 1, 2014. These are the:

• diagnosis, treatment, and housing of adults with mental illness or co-occurring disorders who are involved in the justice system;
• diagnosis, treatment, and housing of juveniles with mental illness or co-occurring disorders who are involved in the justice system;
• ongoing treatment, housing, and supervision of adults and juveniles who are involved in the justice system and the availability of public benefits for these persons; and
• safety of the staff who treat or supervise individuals with mental illness and the use of force against persons with mental illness.

01:39 PM -- Harriet Hall, Jefferson Center for Mental Health and the chair of the task force, spoke in favor of the bill. Dr. Hall provided some background information about the task force. She discussed the work of the task force since its inception in 1999, including the legislation supported by the group. She talked about the overlap between the issues studied by the task force and those of other groups throughout the state. Dr. Hall responded to questions about the work of the task force. Representative Roberts questioned why the study needs to be codified in statute. Representative Levy asked Dr. Hall about the interaction between the task force and the Colorado Commission on Criminal Juvenile Justice (CCCJJ).

01:50 PM -- Gina Shimeall, criminal defense attorney, spoke in support of the bill. Ms. Shimeall stressed that the task force is composed of experts and is well placed to collaboratively address issues affecting the mentally ill in the justice system. The committee discussed the need for the task force and the CCCJJ, focusing on the complexity of the issues addressed by the task force.

02:00 PM -- Susan Walton, Elbert County Department of Social Services, spoke in support of the bill. Ms. Walton stressed the complexity of the issues studied by the task force. She believes that the work of the task force leads to better coordination and collaboration for individuals with mental illness. She also brought up the potential for cost savings that is possible through the work of the task force.

02:03 PM -- Mark Ivandick, Legal Center for People with Disabilities, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Ivandick talked about the vulnerability of individuals with mental illness and the importance of protecting those people's rights. He discussed the John Eachon Re-Entry Program, which serves individuals with mental illness who are transitioning out of the prison system and assists them in re-entering the community. He highlighted some of the positive work of the task force over the years.

02:06 PM -- Lacey Brumen, National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Colorado, spoke in support of the legislation. Ms. Brumen responded to questions regarding using data that is gathered through the work of the task force. She talked about the importance of focusing on the mentally ill.

02:12 PM -- Diane Inscoe, private citizen, spoke in support of the bill. Ms. Inscoe supports the work of the task force and stressed the importance of maintaining a focus on the mentally ill. She raised the issue of consumer representation on the task force. She wants to see more mentally ill or disabled individuals represented on the task force.

02:16 PM -- Lawrence Krause, NAMI Colorado, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Krause is a consumer of mental health services and has also been involved in the justice system. He stated his opinion that state laws need to benefit all of the people in the state. He discussed representation for the mentally ill in the legal system. He believes that the task force helps people.

02:20 PM

Representative Solano asked for a favorable recommendation. Representative King complimented the work of the task force with regard to the suspension of Medicaid benefits bill from 2008.


BILL:	HB09-1021
TIME:	02:24:33 PM
MOVED:	Roberts
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 09-1021 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:	Gardner B.
		VOTE
	Apuan	Yes
	Court	Yes
	Gardner B.	Yes
	King	Yes
	Miklosi	Yes
	Pace	Yes
	Roberts	Yes
	Ryden	Yes
	Waller	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Levy	Yes

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