65C6E1EC425BD3688725880E006BF5AF Hearing Summary

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Bird, prime sponsor, presented HB 22-1258, concerning the creation of an essential services for youth special district in each judicial district in the state. Representative Bird explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need.

Brian Mason, representing the Seventeenth Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in support of HB 22-1258.

Janet Rowland, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in opposition to HB 22-1258. Melissa Thompson, representing the Office of the Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in opposition to the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the process by which a special district is created under the bill.  Ms. Thompson responded to questions regarding demographics associated with at-risk youth, and the use of funding to collect program data. Discussion ensued regarding the age of eligibility for participating in programming created by the bill. Discussion returned to the process by which a special district is created under the bill.

Richard Wexler, representing the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, testified on HB 22-1258 from an "amend" position. Mr. Wexler responded to questions regarding the organization he represents.

Donald Tripp, representing himself, testified in support of HB 22-1258. Jacqueline Meason, representing Advocates for Children with CASA, testified in support of the bill. Josephina Raphael-Milliner, representing CASA, testified in support of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding provision of essential services for youth across the state. Ms. Raphael-Milliner responded to questions regarding the age range served by CASA, and CASA's position on raising the eligibility age. Discussion followed regarding how demographic and cultural differences among the counties in the Eighteenth Judicial District will impact deployment of programming in the bill. Ms. Raphael-Milliner responded to questions regarding the applicability of the definition of "at-risk youth" to single-parent homes under the bill, and training CASA volunteers receive to help interact with diverse populations. Ms. Meason provided input on the latter issue. Ms. Raphael-Milliner responded to questions regarding a waitlist for receiving services under CASA programs.

Jewel Airiana, representing herself, testified in support of HB 22-1258. Ms. Airiana responded to questions regarding how her CASA volunteer helped her.

Robert Grant, representing CASA of the 17th Judicial District, testified in support of HB 22-1258.

Bob Lembke, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Benjamin Teevan, representing Fostering Colorado and the Colorado Association of Family & Children's Agencies, testified in support of the bill.

Don Moseley, representing the Ralston House Child Advocacy Center, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Grant addressed questions raised during earlier testimony. Discussion ensued regarding the funding history for CASA. Mr. Moseley responded to questions regarding the level of state funding his organization receives. Discussion followed regarding setting up special districts that cover multiple political jurisdictions. Representative Bird provided input on this issue. She responded to questions regarding how to bridge the urban/rural divide with respect to creating special districts under the bill. Mr. Lembke responded to questions regarding donations made to youth services organizations under the bill.

Representative Bird explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment A). Representative Bird responded to questions regarding the Judicial Branch's decision to not be an appointed entity under the bill, and levying of taxes under the amendment. Representative Bird responded to further questions regarding the experience required of appointing authorities under the amendment, and the removal of Department of Human Services directors from the scope of the bill by the amendment. Mr. Grant returned to provide input on this question.

Representative Bird provided closing remarks in support of HB 22-1258. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.