801F89CD220D27E3872583A100710474 Hearing Summary

Representative Geitner, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1151. The bill creates the Colorado Special Education Opportunity Scholarship Program in the Colorado Department of Education. The program provides scholarship money to enable the parent of an eligible student to select the education provider and services that meet the student's needs. Representative Geitner answered questions from the committee.

Callan Clark, Consortium of Directors of Special Education, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jennifer Levin, Disability Law Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jonna Levine, Support Jeffco Kids, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Levine read a statement on behalf of Evie Hudak, Colorado PTA, in opposition to the bill.

Melissa Atchley, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Atchley answered questions from the committee.

Julie Denton, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Michael Neil, representing himself and the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill.

Representative Geitner explained amendment L.004 (Attachment A).

Julie Pelegrin, Office of Legislative Legal Services, futher explained amendment L.004.

Representative Geitner explained amendment L.003 (Attachment B).

Representative Geitner explained amendment L.005 (Attachment C).  Representative Geitner answered questions from the committee about amendment L.005.

Ms. Pelegrin answered questions about amendment L.005.

Representative Geitner and Ms. Pelegrin responded to additional questions from the committee about amendment L.005.

Representative Geitner made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.