CCB4BB2E0491C4878725880600714749 Hearing Summary

Representative McLachlan and Representative Young, co-prime bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-079, concerning required dementia training for direct-care staff of specified facilities that provide services to clients living with dementia. The bill requires the Department of Public Health and Environment, with regard to nursing care facilities and assisted living residences, and the Medical Services Board in the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, with regard to adult day care facilities, to adopt rules requiring these facilities to provide dementia training for staff providing direct-care services to clients and residents of the facilities. Rules must be adopted by July 1, 2024, that specify initial training and continuing education requirements, as outlined in the bill.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Arlene Miles, representing Colorado Health Care Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Colin Laughlin, representing the Office of Community Living in the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified to amend the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Susan Pilgram, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

John Johnson, representing the Alzheimer's Association, testified in support of the bill.

Eric Heydorn, representing the Alzheimer's Association, testified in support of the bill.

Jean Ruecker, representing the Alzheimer's Association, testified in support of the bill.

Tia Sauceda, representing the Seniors' Resource Center, testified in support of the bill.

Coral Cosway, representing the Alzheimer's Association, testified in support of the bill. 

Written testimony was provided to the committee (Attachment E).

Representative Sirota laid the bill over for action only to a future date.