74362349B4E68C1E8725823A00720058 Hearing Summary

Representative Danielson, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1104 to the committee.  The bill establishes procedural safeguards for parents with disabilities in the context of child welfare, foster care, family law, guardianship, and adoption.  Under the bill, a parent's disability cannot be a basis for denying or restricting temporary custody, foster care, guardianship, participation in adoption, or to restrict a parent's responsibility in domestic relations or dependency or neglect proceedings, unless a detrimental impact on the child can be shown.

Representative Singer proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Scott LaBarre, National Federation of the Blind - Colorado, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. LaBarre responded to committee questions.

Carrie Ann Lucas, Disabled Parents' Rights, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Lucas responded to committee questions.  

Haven Rohnert, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Rohnert responded to committee questions.

Christine Parsons, National Federation of the Blind - Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Chrissy Henderson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Henderson responded to committee questions.

Paula Rhoads Hook, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Julie Deden, Colorado Center for the Blind, testified in support of the bill.

Linda Skaflen, The Arc of Adams County, testified in support of the bill.

Meghan Baker, Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Baker responded to committee questions.

Kris Saurini, Hope Initiative, testified in support of the bill.

Ruchi Kapoor, Office of Respondent Parents' Council, testified in support of the bill.

Nick Isenberg, National Federation of the Blind - Colorado, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Isenberg responded to committee questions.

Ms. Saurini responded to committee questions.

Ms. Saurini and Ms. Kapoor responded to committee questions.

Allison Daley, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in a neutral capacity on the bill.

Julie Thomerson, representing herself, testified regarding the bill.  Ms. Thomerson responded to committee questions.

Marie Moses, Colorado Bar Association, testified in a neutral capacity on the bill.

Jordan Steffen, Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman, testified in a neutral capacity on the bill.

Linda Weinerman, Office of the Childs' Representative, testified in a neutral capacity on the bill.  Ms. Weinerman responded to committee questions.

Representative Singer commented on the child welfare system.  Committee discussion with Ms. Weinerman continued.

Representative Danielson concluded her presentation.