45AE7F29F0EEA6AA872586AF006D79E6 Hearing Summary

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order. Representative Amabile, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 21-1211, concerning regulations for restrictive housing in local jails. Representative Amabile explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Amabile responded to questions regarding the number of county jails that would be exempted from the scope of the bill.

The following persons testified regarding HB 21-1211: Joe Pelle, Boulder County Sheriff, testified in opposition to the bill. Melanie Dreiling, representing the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Jeffrey Goetz, representing the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the definition of "restrictive housing" under the bill, and the number of inmates that would be impacted by the bill. Sheriff Pelle responded to questions regarding how an inmate is selected for restrictive housing. Discussion followed regarding costs associated with the bill, and treatment requirements for those in restrictive housing. Mr. Goetz responded to questions regarding the average length of time that a person might be in restrictive housing in Boulder County.

Janet Huffor, representing the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, testified in opposition to HB 21-1211. Andrew Fodera, representing the El Paso County Sheriff's Office testified in opposition to the bill. Elizabeth O'Neal, representing the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Grant Mason, representing County Sheriffs of Colorado and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Huffor responded to questions regarding standards in amendment L.001 (Attachment B), a strike-below amendment, for checking on those in restrictive housing in county jails, and the placement of mentally ill inmates in restrictive housing. Discussion returned to costs that local governments would incur as a result of the bill's passage, and the time frame for placing in inmate in restrictive housing, in this case in El Paso and Jefferson counties.

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order.

Richard Partridge, representing himself, testified in support of HB 21-1211.

Shelley Partridge, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ryan Partridge, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Ryan Partridge responded to questions regarding whether anyone explained to him why he was placed in restrictive housing. Discussion ensued regarding notification to the family of Ryan's situation. Ryan Partridge responded to questions regarding treatment he received while in custody. Discussion ensued regarding certain circumstances surrounding Ryan's custody.

Micah Pearson, representing the National Alliance for Mental Illness, testified in support of HB 21-1211. Mr. Pearson responded to questions regarding standards for the provision of mental health services.

Rebecca Wallace, representing the ACLU, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Jeffrey Metzner, representing the Colorado Psychiatric Society, testified in support of the bill.

Meghan Baker, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Lauren Snyder, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Snyder responded to questions regarding how the Department of Corrections and the Division of Youth Services work around the use of solitary confinement, and disproportionality in the use of solitary confinement. Discussion ensued regarding standards pertaining to mental health care in correctional facilities, and policies at the county level. Discussion followed regarding the curtailment of the use of restrictive housing in other jurisdictions. Discussion turned to the incorporation of certain standards into HB 21-1211, and accrediting bodies for incarceration health care standards. Ms. Snyder responded to questions regarding how county jails would execute the provisions of the bill. Various panelists provided input on this issue.

Sandra Sharp, representing Colorado Mental Health, testified in support of HB 21-1211.

Laura Rovner, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Taj Ashaheed, representing the Second Chance Center, testified in support of the bill.

Maureen Cain, representing the Colorado State Public Defenders' Office, testified in support of HB 21-1211.

Tristan Gorman, representing the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill.

Patrick Hackney, representing the Arc of Larimer County, testified in support of the bill.

Michael Neil, representing the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of HB 21-1211.

Valerie Schlecht, representing the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

The committee recessed.  The committee returned to order.  The committee considered amendment L.004 (Attachment C).

The committee returned to order.

Representative Amabile provided closing remarks in support of HB 21-1211. Various committee members provide their positions on the bill.