743AC2D29640C59087258C4C000AE940 Hearing Summary

Representatives Bradley and English, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1073, concerning criminal sentencing for persons who commit certain types of sexual assault on a child and requiring a mandatory minimum period of incarceration for a class 4 and class 3 felony. The bill sponsors explained the effect of the bill and responded to questions about related statistics, including demographics.

Elyssa Marsh, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Ashley Jellison, representing
Colorado Children's Alliance, testified in support of the bill. Diana Goldberg,
representing Colorado Children's Alliance - SungateKids Child Advocacy
Center, testified in support of the bill. Ked Frank, representing Safe
Places for Women, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Lori Triplett,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked questions to how HB 25-1073 will help child victims feel safer.

Sarah Croog, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Daniel Katz, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Rebekah Layton, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Christopher Decker, representing
themself, testified in opposition to HB 25-1073.



Discussion ensued
regarding sentencing changes for sex offenses and related fact patterns.
 Discussion followed regarding sex offense sentencing and treatment.
The panelists responded to questions about sex offenders on probation,
false accusations, and the availability of sex offender treatment.

George Brauchler,
representing 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in support
of the bill. Mr. Tyler Brown, representing County Sheriffs of Colorado,
testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jessica Dotter, representing Colorado
District Attorneys' Council, was available to answer committee questions.
Danielle Jaramillo, representing District Attorney's Office for the 23rd
Judicial District, testified in support of the bill.



The panel responded
to questions regarding sex offense statistics and demographics. Further
discussion continued about the bill's fiscal impact. More questions were
raised about sentencing statistics, and the bill's impact on victims and
their families.Discussion returned to the fiscal impact of the bill. Committee
inquired about pleading down sex offense cases and jury trials. Discussion
returned to data associated with child sex offenses.

Ms. Ashley Charbonneau,
represented by Tristan Gorman who read Ashley's testimony, testified in
opposition to the bill. Augustine Garcia, representing Southern Colorado
Association for Restorative Justice, testified in opposition to the bill.
Mr. Nathan Eagan, representing themself, testified in opposition to the
bill. Mr. Luke McConnell, representing themself, testified in opposition
to the bill. Mr. Gary Reser, representing themself, testified in opposition
to the bill.



Discussion ensued
regarding the bill's impact and mandatory sentencing structures.  Discussion
continued about demographics for the victims who would be impacted by HB
25-1073, and justice for victims.

Mr. Auontai Anderson,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Scott Shamblin,
representing themself, testified in support of HB 25-1073. Elizabeth Newman,
representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, testified in support
of the bill. Ms. Tanya McCrea, representing Growing in Him Counseling,
testified in support of the bill. Natalie Jolin, representing ShesCHERIsed,
testified in support of the bill.



The panel responded
to committee questions.

Mr. Rick Ostring, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Caleb Kapp, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Gina Shimeall, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Laurie Kepros, representing Office of the State Public Defender, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Maureen Cain, representing Office of the State Public Defender, testified in opposition to the bill.



Discussion ensued regarding plea bargaining, and sex offense sentencing under current law. Discussion followed regarding individuals who choose prison over probation for sex offenses, and indeterminate sentencing. Committee members askd about statistics associated with certain child sex crimes, and trends in sex offenses going to trial.

Ms. Erin Meschke,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Karen Pennington,
representing Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee,
testified in support of the bill. Brad-Coach Kellen, representing Breaking
the Chains of Abuse B.A.C.A, was available to answer committee questions.
Ms. Ivy Liu, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms.
Jeany Rush, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Donna
LaBelle, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions about youth advocacy.



Written comments
are in Attachment F.

No amendments were offered to HB 25-1073. Representatives Bradley and English provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.