85168E8CC456637287258B110003C54F Hearing Summary

Senators Michaelson Jenet and Gardner, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1355, concerning adult competency to stand trial.  

The bill sponsors distributed Amendment L.005 (Attachment F). 

Ms. Patti Tobias, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Jagruti Shah, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked how the bill would decrease the competency waitlist.  Discussion ensued about diversion programs, eligibility, and cost savings. 

Mr. James Katbach, representing Colorado State Public Defenders Office, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Jori Dovey, representing Bridges of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion returned to costs savings and evidence-based models of competency diversion programs.  The committee discussed the chain of events in competency cases.

Committee members asked the panel questions about program eligibility requirements and the number of applicable cases. 

Mr. Brian Johnson, representing Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Maureen Cain, representing Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Damian Cucinell, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Lauren Snyder, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Kristen Ham, representing Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Todd Pomeroy , representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Misty Pankratz, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Becca Butler-Dines, representing Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Jonathan Singer, representing Boulder Chamber, testified in support of the bill.

Ryan Templeton, representing Behavioral Health Administration, was available to answer committee questions.

The bill sponsors revisited Amendment L.005 (Attachment F) .  Shelby Ross, Office of Legislative Legal Services, explained the amendment and its relationship to the previous bill (House Bill 24-1034).

The bill sponsors and committee members made closing remarks.