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Committee moves bill to centralize behavioral health secure transport licensing to Appropriations
Summary
Following testimony from counties, public health departments and providers about inconsistent county licensing and audits showing noncompliance, the committee adopted a strike‑below amendment moving licensing of behavioral health secure transport to CDPHE, requiring training standards and a public registry. The committee voted 11–2 to send the amended bill to Appropriations.
Sponsors Representative Ryden and Representative Bradfield told the committee HB 10‑63 responds to fragmentation in the state’s behavioral health secure transport (BHST) program and seeks to centralize licensing and oversight under the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
Representative Ryden summarized audits and local experience, saying some counties found "40 to 50% of the claims" they received were not consistent with statute and that providers operating across county lines face burdensome duplicate licensing and vehicle permitting. She explained the strike‑below amendment would move licensing to CDPHE, require statewide training and standards, and require CDPHE to publish a list of authorized providers so dispatchers, 988, law enforcement and courts know whom to call.
County and regional public health directors, county associations and task force members testified in support of moving licensing to the state. Kevin Neiman of Colorado Counties, Inc. and Kelly Curl of Jefferson County Public Health described inconsistent local practices and burdens for providers seeking to operate in multiple counties; they said a statewide process would be more predictable and better for rural providers. Adams, Boulder, Broomfield and other county health officials urged consistent standards, better data collection and stronger enforcement.
CDPHE and the Behavioral Health Administration raised concerns about shifting responsibilities and emphasized training and system‑wide gaps, but the task‑force sponsors argued the amendment addresses those concerns by centralizing licensing and building on state expertise.
The committee adopted amendment L003 and then voted 11–2 to send HB 10‑63, as amended, to Appropriations. Sponsors said the change will likely increase CDPHE administrative costs and may affect the fiscal note, but fees authorized in the amendment would support implementation.
The bill now moves to Appropriations, where fiscal details and fee structure will be reviewed.
