Representative Froelich, bill sponsor, introduced HB21-1228.
Beginning on January 1, 2022, the bill requires child and family investigators (CFIs) and parental responsibility evaluators (PREs) to have training related to domestic violence and its effect on children, adults and families.  Training must be provided by recognized sources with expertise in domestic violence and the traumatic effects of domestic violence, and must include six hours of training for both domestic violence and child abuse, as well as four hours of subsequent training every two years.  The bill also requires legal representatives of children to comply with these provisions, and requires that reports related to domestic violence, submitted to a court by an investigator, evaluator or child’s legal representative, be considered when determining parenting time and responsibilities.

The bill also requires that the Office of the State Court Administrator maintain an eligibility roster for CFIs and PREs, and that a complaints process relating to both CFIs and PREs be established.  The bill specifies that a Chief Justice Directive be created to implement these requirements.

Committee members asked questions of the bill sponsor.

Committee members continued to ask questions of the bill sponsor.

Ms. Maralee Mclean, representing Moms Fight Back, testified in support of the bill. Amelia Lobo, representing Violence Free Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Judy Schure, representing Moms Fight Back, testified in support of the bill.

Christine McGinley, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Beth Goldman, representing Mothers Fight Back, testified in support of the bill. Witnesses responded to questions from committee members.

Mr. Bennett Poletti, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Kimberly Chambers, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Andrea Fuller, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Rebecca Zimmerman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Lydia Waligorski, representing Violence Free Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Froelich answered questions from committee members.

Kimberly Phillips, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Submitted written testimony can be found in Attachment C.

Committee members made final comments on the bill.