CA80B17A7100D41C872583C3006B9412 Hearing Summary

Senators Gardner and Lee, co-prime sponsors, explained HB19-1197, concerning restrictions on making public the personal information of government employees whose official duties involve child abuse and neglect cases. The Senators explained the need for case workers working with vulnerable children to be better protected from harassment and threats.

Julie Krow, executive director of El Paso County Human Services, spoke in support of the bill. She cited statistics about threats made to case workers and distributed a related document (Attachment A). 

Peter Lichtman, representing El Paso County Attorney's Office, testified in favor of the bill.  He discussed the strengths of the bill. 

Gini Pingenot, representing Colorado Counties Incorporated, spoke in support of the bill.  She noted how the bill will be helpful to those who are involved with child abuse and neglect cases and distributed a fact sheet (Attachment B).

The following three individuals testified anonymously to protect their identity. 

Individual 1, representing El Paso County Department of Human Services, spoke in support of the bill.  The individual gave a personal account of being attacked and threatened because of trying to protect children during the course of duties.

Individual 2, representing El Paso County Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.  The individual discussed working with families who had children removed and the high emotions involved. 

Individual 3, representing El Paso County Department of Human Services, testified in favor of the measure.  This individual reportedly received a threat from the Mexican Cartel. 

Mary Berg, representing Jefferson County Department of Human Services, spoke in support of the bill.  She distributed a handout from Jefferson County about child welfare incidents (Attachment C) and discussed the county's threat assessment team.  

Senators Gardner and Lee made closing remarks.