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H_HHS_2025A 03/04/2025 11:31:42 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date 03/04/2025
Attendance
Bradfield X
Bradley X
English X
Feret X
Garcia Sander X
Gilchrist X
Hamrick X
Johnson X
McCormick X
Rydin X
Stewart K. X
Lieder X
Brown X
Time 11:31:42 AM to 05:37:11 PM
Place HCR 0112
This Meeting was called to order by Brown
This Report was prepared by Eliyah Chadioun
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB25-1204 Amended, referred to House Appropriations
HB25-1259 Lay Over
HB25-1213 Amended, referred to House Appropriations
HB25-1223 Amended, referred to House Finance
HB25-1279 Amended, referred to House Appropriations
HB25-1256 Postponed Indefinitely

HB25-1204 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations

11:31:51 AM  
The primary bill
sponsors, Representatives Duran and Joseph, introduced House Bill 25-1204
to the House Health and Human Services Committee. The bill codifies the
federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 into state statute as the Colorado
Indian Child Welfare Act, which provides the minimum federal standards
and protections for the removal and placement of Indian children in homes.
It also provides additional protections for Indian children under state
law. For court proceedings involving Indian children, the bill outlines
court procedures for determining a child's tribal membership, ensuring
tribal participation in proceedings, and prioritizing placement preferences
with family and tribe members. The bill requires active efforts in verifying
a child’s tribal status, requires providing notice to parents and tribes,
and provides guidelines for emergency hearings involving Indian children.
It recognizes tribal jurisdiction over cases involving Indian children,
ensures court-appointed counsel for indigent families, and allows the state
to enter into and revise agreements with tribes regarding child welfare
cases. The bill also requires the Judicial Department and Department of
Human Services to report certain information on Indian children by September
15, 2027, and every odd year after.
11:36:17 AM  
Mr. Melvin Baker,
Chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, testified in support of the
bill.
11:44:06 AM  
Korey Elger, representing
Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.
Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified
in support of the bill. Lacey Psterloh, representing Colorado Children's
Alliance - Four Corners Child Advocacy Center, testified in support of
the bill.
11:51:48 AM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
12:00:19 PM  
Mr. Kendall Marlowe,
representing Kempe Foundation, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jack
Trope, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Anna
Ulrich, representing Office of the Child's Representative, testified in
support of the bill. Ms. Elaine Castillo, representing the Office of Respondent
Parents' Council, testified in support of the bill.
12:10:50 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
12:13:57 PM  

Brittani Lopez, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Monycka Snowbird, representing Haseya Advocate Program and the MMIR Task Force of CO, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Molly Ryan, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mariah Cook, representing the Mountain Ute Tribe, testified in support of the bill.
12:23:37 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
12:27:03 PM  
Ms. Jennifer Collins,
representing City and County of Denver, testified to amend the bill. Mr.
Richard Uhrlaub, representing Asrc, testified to amend the bill.



Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment A).
12:32:09 PM  
The bill sponsors
introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment B).
12:35:34 PM  
The bill sponsors
introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment C).
12:35:40 PM  
The bill sponsors
responded to questions about L.002.


12:36:27 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment C).
Moved Lieder
Seconded Hamrick
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


12:36:59 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B).
Moved Lieder
Seconded Hamrick
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
12:37:00 PM  
The bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.
12:37:36 PM  
Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.


12:39:43 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1204, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Lieder
Seconded Stewart K.
Bradfield Yes
Bradley Yes
English Yes
Feret Yes
Garcia Sander Yes
Gilchrist Yes
Hamrick Yes
Johnson Yes
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Lieder Yes
Brown Yes
Final YES: 13   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB25-1259 - Lay Over
12:39:52 PM  
The primary bill
sponsors, Representatives Froelich and Brown, introduced House Bill 25-1259
to the House Health and Human Services Committee. The bill creates a right
to in vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive procedures. The
bill also makes changes to current requirements for gamete banks and fertility
clinics (donor banks) including removing the requirement that donor banks
must continually update donor information; eliminating the requirement
that a person conceived from gamete donor cannot communicate about the
gamete donor with third parties; repealing provisions related to holding
donor records in the event of donor bank dissolution and removes the requirement
to tell parents about a donor’s medical history or others who were conceived
using the same donor; requiring donor banks to draft materials for individuals
prior to donating or receiving gametes, instead of the Department of Public
Health and Environment (CDPHE); and making it optional instead of required
for donor recipients to notify donor banks about live births using donated
gametes. The bill also changes donor bank licensure renewal from annually
to every five years; removes the requirement for CDPHE to investigate out-of-state
donor banks; and revises penalties for noncompliance, replacing the automatic
$20,000 per-day fine with a civil penalty to be determined by the State
Board of Health following a hearing.
12:48:32 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.
12:54:00 PM  
Judith Hoechst, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Betsy Cairo, representing
CryoGam Colorado, LLC, testified in support of the bill. Kristina Shaw,
representing Colorado Fertility Advocates, testified in support of the
bill. Vanessa Martinez, representing Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity
and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), testified in support of the bill.
01:05:08 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
01:10:53 PM  
Sarah Jeffers, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Jamie Spiers, representing
U.S. Donor Conceived Council, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms.
Lindsey Terry, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
Ms. Elizabeth Reisen, representing themself, testified in opposition to
the bill.
01:19:33 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
01:26:11 PM  
A handout was provided
to the committee (Attachment D).
01:27:41 PM  
Laura Runnels, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Lori Metz, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Christina Spencer, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
01:34:33 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
01:35:32 PM  
Naomi Cahn, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Melanie Mikkelsen, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Rachel Heffner, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
01:35:32 PM  
Naomi Cahn, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Melanie Mikkelsen, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Rachel Heffner, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
01:43:22 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
01:43:57 PM  
Ms. Kathleen Lawler,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Maia Emmons-Boring,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Morgan
Schumann, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms.
Melissa Lindsey, representing Donor Conceived Community, testified in opposition
to the bill.
01:53:57 PM  
Dylan Stone-Miller,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Neylan Griffy,
representing USDCC, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Katherine
Boldt, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms.
Rachel Schiff, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
Melissa Bornico, representing Tyler Sniff, testified in opposition to the
bill.
02:07:53 PM  
Mr. Richard Uhrlaub,
representing ASRC/CTTA, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Dylan Morgan,
representing Cascade Cryobank, testified to amend the bill. Former Senator
Steve Fenberg, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
02:15:55 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
02:21:18 PM  
Ellen Trachman, representing
Colorado Women's Bar Association, testified in support of the bill. Laura
Koupal, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Hazel
Gibson, representing Progressnow Colorado, testified in support of the
bill.



Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment E).
02:28:06 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
02:32:00 PM  
The bill sponsors
asked that the bill be laid over for action only.



HB25-1213 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations

02:34:49 PM  
The committee was placed in a brief recess.
02:39:27 PM  
The committee came back to order.
02:40:07 PM  
The primary bill
sponsor, Representative Feret, introduced House Bill 25-1213 to the House
Health and Human Services Committee. The bill exempts certain assisted
living facilities from compliance standards and modifies the state’s Medicaid
program.



A handout was
provided to the committee (Attachment F).
02:42:42 PM  
The bill sponsor responded to questions from the committee.
02:45:53 PM  
Cristen Bates, representing
Colorado Health Care Policy and Financing Department, testified to amend
the bill. Colin Laughlin, representing Colorado Health Care Policy and
Financing Department, was available to answer committee questions.
02:48:24 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
02:50:45 PM  
Janet Cornell, representing
Colorado Assisted Living Association, testified in support of the bill.
Rebekah Griffith, representing APTA-CO, testified in support of the bill.



Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment G).
02:54:53 PM  
The bill sponsor
introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment H).
02:55:34 PM  
The bill sponsor
introduced amendment L.004 (Attachment I).


02:57:09 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment I).
Moved Feret
Seconded Hamrick
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


02:57:48 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment H).
Moved Feret
Seconded Hamrick
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
02:57:49 PM  
The bill sponsor
introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment J).


02:58:27 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment J).
Moved Feret
Seconded Hamrick
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
02:58:27 PM  
The bill sponsor provided closing comments on the bill.
02:59:19 PM  
Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.


03:01:48 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1213, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Feret
Seconded Garcia Sander
Bradfield Yes
Bradley Yes
English Yes
Feret Yes
Garcia Sander Yes
Gilchrist Yes
Hamrick Yes
Johnson Yes
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Lieder Excused
Brown Yes
Final YES: 12   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
03:01:55 PM  
The committee was placed in a brief recess.



HB25-1223 - Amended, referred to House Finance

03:10:10 PM  
The committee came
back to order.
03:10:11 PM  
The primary bill
sponsors, Representatives Johnson and Lukens, introduced House Bill 25-1223
to the House Health and Human Services Committee. The bill requires the
Department of Public Health and Environment to estimate the total cost
needed to meet the capital development needs of Colorado rural and frontier
hospitals by January 31, 2027. This work is overseen by a taskforce whose
members are appointed by the Governor and leaders of the General Assembly.
The study’s implementation is dependent on receipt of sufficient gifts,
grants, and donations.
03:14:33 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.
03:20:26 PM  

Mr. Michael Gifford, representing AGC Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Alexandra Haas, representing Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, was available to answer committee questions.
03:23:55 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
03:25:42 PM  
The bill sponsors
introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment K).


03:26:52 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment K).
Moved Johnson
Seconded Bradley
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder Excused
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:27:00 PM  
The bill sponsors
introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment L).


03:27:37 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment L).
Moved Johnson
Seconded Hamrick
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder Excused
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:27:42 PM  
The bill sponsors
introduced amendment L.003 (Attachment M).


03:28:37 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment M).
Moved Johnson
Seconded Feret
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder Excused
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:28:37 PM  
The bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.
03:29:54 PM  
Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.


03:34:31 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1223, as amended, to the Committee on Finance.
Moved Johnson
Seconded Stewart K.
Bradfield Yes
Bradley Yes
English Yes
Feret Yes
Garcia Sander No
Gilchrist Yes
Hamrick Yes
Johnson Yes
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Lieder Excused
Brown Yes
Final YES: 11   NO: 1   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB25-1279 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations

03:34:41 PM  
The primary bill
sponsor, Representatives Stewart R., introduced House Bill 25-1279 to House
Health and Human Services Committee. The bill requires the Department of
Human Services (CDHS) to develop a standardized process for counties to
report certain information about the Colorado Works Program by January
1, 2026. This includes counties providing information on TANF spending,
third-party contracted services, impacts of state policy changes on TANF
caseload, and the number of denied program applications. CDHS must also
develop recommendations on a standardized outcome measure for contracted
services funded by TANF.
03:40:19 PM  
The bill sponsor responded to questions from the committee.
03:44:28 PM  
Ms. Chaer Robert,
representing Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of
the bill. Ian McMahon, representing Colorado Department of Human Services,
testified in support of the bill. Sarah Barnes, representing Colorado Children's
Campaign, testified in support of the bill. Mary Berg, representing Jefferson
County Human Services, testified to amend the bill.



Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment N).
03:55:14 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
04:08:35 PM  
The committee was placed in a recess.
04:13:00 PM  
The committee came back to order.
04:13:10 PM  
The bill sponsor
introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment O).


04:14:31 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment O).
Moved Hamrick
Seconded Feret
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder Excused
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:14:32 PM  
The bill sponsor
introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment P).


04:15:01 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment P).
Moved Hamrick
Seconded Feret
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder Excused
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:15:02 PM  
The bill sponsor
introduced amendment L.003 (Attachment Q).


04:16:04 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment Q).
Moved Stewart K.
Seconded Hamrick
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder Excused
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:16:05 PM  
The bill sponsor
introduced amendment L.004 (Attachment R).


04:16:59 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment R).
Moved Stewart K.
Seconded Feret
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Garcia Sander
Gilchrist
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Lieder Excused
Brown
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:16:59 PM  
The bill sponsor provided closing comments on the bill.
04:18:10 PM  
Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.


04:20:13 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1279, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved McCormick
Seconded Rydin
Bradfield Yes
Bradley No
English Yes
Feret No
Garcia Sander No
Gilchrist Yes
Hamrick Yes
Johnson No
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Lieder Excused
Brown Yes
Final YES: 8   NO: 4   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB25-1256 - Postponed Indefinitely
04:20:29 PM  
The primary bill
sponsor, Representative Bradley, introduced House Bill 25-1256 to the House
Health and Human Services Committee. The bill prohibits health care providers
from implementing a do-not-resuscitate order in an unemancipated minor’s
medical record without consent from a parent or legal guardian, except
in specified circumstances including when the parent or guardian cannot
be contacted for 72 hours. The bill places further protections on life
continuing care for minors related to court orders and facility transfers.
04:29:01 PM  
The bill sponsor responded to questions from the committee.
04:38:58 PM  
Scott Shamblin, representing
Colorado Right To Life, testified in support of the bill. Scott Schara,
representing Our Amazing Grace's Light Shines On, Inc., testified in support
of the bill. Sandi Enzminger, representing Simon's Law, testified in support
of the bill. Kaydee Van Deren, representing Cormac and Emilia’s Hope,
testified in support of the bill.
04:51:14 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
04:58:46 PM  
Ms. Pam Long, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Donna LaBelle, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Shannon Johnson, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jeany Rush, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill.
05:07:22 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
05:10:33 PM  
Mrs. Julie Denton,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Ms. Judy Papenfuss,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Ms. Marilyn
Gore, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment S).
05:17:36 PM  
The bill sponsor
provided closing comments on the bill.



Renee Leone, Office
of Legislative Legal Services, responded to questions from the committee.


05:36:31 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1256 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Bradley
Seconded Johnson
Bradfield Yes
Bradley Yes
English Yes
Feret Yes
Garcia Sander Yes
Gilchrist No
Hamrick No
Johnson Yes
McCormick No
Rydin No
Stewart K. No
Lieder No
Brown No
YES: 6   NO: 7   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL


05:36:59 PM
 Motion Postpone House Bill 25-1256 indefinitely using a reversal of the previous roll call. There was no objection to the use of the reverse roll call, therefore, the bill was postponed indefinitely.
Moved Feret
Seconded Lieder
Bradfield No
Bradley No
English No
Feret No
Garcia Sander No
Gilchrist Yes
Hamrick Yes
Johnson No
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Lieder Yes
Brown Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 6   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


05:37:11 PM   The committee adjourned.






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