Senators Amabile and Weissman presented House Bill 26-1123. The bill establishes requirements around strip searches, jail surveillance, and sexual assault prevention in local detention facilities.

Committee members asked about related federal laws and other disincentives to prevent sexual assault in jails. Further discussion ensued about the frequency of improper viewing of strip search recordings. Questions were raised about the bill opening up potential for lawsuits against law enforcement.

Mrs. Katrina Lile, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mx. Raven Nyx, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Suzanne Garcia, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Elizabeth Newman, representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, testified in support of the bill. David Karnes, representing Violence Free Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Courtney Sutton, representing Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, testified in support of the bill. Ellen Buckley, representing Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association, testified in support of the bill. Mx. Omny Miranda Martone, representing Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA), testified in support of the bill. Ms. Cathryn Bousquet, representing Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked for clarification about the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Further questions were raised about other methods used to search detainees. Conversation turned to the cost of body scanners.

Mr. Drew Oudeman, representing Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Jeffrey Goetz, representing Boulder County Sheriff's Office, testified to amend the bill. Mrs. Meagan Danitz, representing County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified to amend the bill.

Committee members asked about the different reasons for strip searches. Further questions were asked about lawsuits.

Allegra Mangione, representing Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA), testified in support of the bill. Testimony from Shrell Begay was read by Anastasia Cole in support of the bill.

Written comments about the bill may be found in Attachment A.

The bill sponsors returned to the table and asked that the bill be laid over to a later date.