Reps. Bacon and Hernandez introduced House Bill 24-1216. The bill establishes rights for justice-engaged students and encourages courts to delay sentences to commitment. The sponsors answered some committee questions.

Written testimony may be found in Attachment G.

Dr. Jose Silva, representing the Generation Schools Network, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Wendy Loloff Cooper, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. David Armstrong, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Amy Bishop, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Jeannette Angel, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Rachael Lovendahl, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. J.J. Reed, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Bianca Ochoa, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Zaley Quintana, representing AUL, testified in support of the bill. Aliyah Martinez, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Leo Alirez, representing Life-Line Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Benjamin Teevan, representing the Colorado Association of Family & Children’s Agencies, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Lucas Rosentrater, representing Turning Point of the City, testified in support of the bill. Dana Flores, representing the National Center for Youth Law, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jorge Resendez, representing AUL Denver, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Daniela Campos-Garcia, representing AUL Denver, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Elena Diaz-Nava, representing lifeline colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Avontae Fox, representing AUL Denver, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Ginger Frankel, representing AUL Denver, testified in support of the bill. Meighen Lovelace, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses answered several committee questions.

Mr. Anders Jacobson, representing the Colorado Department of Human Services, testified to amend the bill. Katie  First, representing Colorado Counties Inc, testified to amend the bill. Ms. Erin Osterhaus, representing the Colorado Department of Human Services, testified to amend the bill. Michelle Murphy, representing the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, testified to amend the bill. The sponsors answered several committee questions.

Mika Alexander, representing American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

The sponsors and committee members gave some closing remarks.