5D03F599B108912387258743006DAEED Hearing Summary

Meghan Baker, Facilities Team Leader Attorney, Disability Law Center, presented on persons with mental health disorders and assaults on professionals. She reviewed a powerpoint during her presentation (Attachment G). Ms. Baker reviewed the types of felony assault, the related state laws, and the differences between assaults on a professional versus someone who is not defined as a professional. She discussed statistics about assaults on a professional charges filed against people who are incompetent to proceed. Ms. Baker reviewed information about the treatment of people with mental illness in the Department of Corrections. She referenced House Bill 14-1214 that required the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) to provide a report to the General Assembly on enhanced penalties for assaults on professionals.

Ms. Baker discussed not guilty by reason of insanity related to assaults on professionals.

Tim Lane, Legislative Liaison and Policy Analyst, Colorado District Attorneys' Council, and MHDCJS Task Force member, presented on assaults on professionals. He discussed crisis intervention training and mental health first aid training that could help prevent assaults on professionals. Mr. Lane reference House Bill 21-1030 that expanded the Peace Officers Mental Health Support and Community Partnerships Grant Program. He discussed mental health division programs and efforts by the CCJJ to address felonies for assaults on professionals.

Lucienne Ohanian, Chief Deputy, Colorado State Public Defender, presented on assaults on professionals. She discussed competency laws and the length of time it may take for someone to be released after a charge of an assault on a professional.

The panelists responded to questions about bail and competency restoration. In response to a question, Mr. Lane referenced Senate Bill 20-181, which addressed competency reports, and how other states address assaults on professionals. The panelists addressed questions about the Disability Law Colorado lawsuits related to competency restoration.

Representative Benavidez discussed the upcoming meetings of the committee.