E1CA05C8DF58BE038725821F005C7478 Hearing Summary

Senator Smallwood called the meeting to order.  Senator Crowder, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-054 to the committee.  The bill specifies that any licensing fee set by the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for assisted living residences cannot be increased by an amount greater than the inflation rate for the Denver-Boulder-Greeley statistical area, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States Department of Labor.  The bill applies to any increase to a schedule of fees that is in effect as of the effective date of this bill.

Senator Crowder discussed amendment L.001 and an updated fiscal note with the committee (Attachments A and B).

Doug Farmer, Colorado Health Care Association, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Farmer and Senator Crowder responded to committee questions.  

Gayle Berry, Leading Age Colorado, came to the table to discuss the safety clause in the bill.  Committee discussion ensued with Ms. Berry, Mr. Farmer and Senator Crowder.

Christy Chase, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to discuss the safety clause in the bill.  She responded to committee questions.  Amendment L.002 (Attachment C) was distributed to the committee.  Ms. Chase explained the amendment.

Deborah Lively, Leading Age Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Shannon Gimble, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, testified in a neutral capacity on the bill.

Anne Meier, Disability Law Colorado, testified in a neutral capacity on the bill.  Ms. Meier responded to committee questions.

Jayla Sanchez-Warren, representing herself, testified in a neutral capacity regarding the bill.  Ms. Sanchez-Warren responded to committee questions.

Richard Mauro, Denver Regional Council of Goverments, came to the table to respond to committee questions on the bill.  Senator Crowder commented.

Randy Kuykendall, CDPHE, came to the table to respond to committee questions regarding Colorado assisted living facilities.  He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment D).  Mr. Kuykendall responded to committee questions.

Mr. Kuykendall continued to respond to committee questions.

Senator Crowder discussed amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments A and C) with the committee and gave concluding remarks on the bill.