h_jud_2018a_2018-04-17t13:40:36z0 Hearing Summary

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. The committee went into recess to wait on amendments.

The committee returned to order. Representatives Lundeen and Pettersen, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1269, concerning notification to parents of charges brought against public school employees for alleged criminal conduct that could result in the revocation of an educator license pursuant to Title 22, Colorado Revised Statutes. The committee heard testimony on the bill at its March 29 meeting. Representative Lundeen reacquainted the committee with the discussion about the bill thus far. Representative Pettersen discussed the reasons for bringing the bill forward. Representative Lundeen explained the effect of amendment L.008 (Attachment A). Representative Lundeen responded to questions regarding how the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) becomes aware of an employee falling under the scope of the bill, and the geographic coverage of CBI's database. Discussion ensued regarding certain civil liberties considerations, and the process by which the progress of a particular criminal case is tracked by a school district.

Discussion ensued regarding the point at which parents are notified of criminal charges of a school employee, and the process by which school districts are notified of criminal charges by a judicial district. Ms. Brita Darling, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided clarification on this issue.

Representative Salazar explained the effect of amendment L.011 (Attachment B).

Representative Lundeen explained the effect of amendment L.010 (Attachment C).

Discussion returned to coverage of out-of-state arrests by amendment L008.

Discussion ensued regarding the position of stakeholders on criminal charges being made public under HB 18-1269 before a conviction is secured, and associated liability.