H_JUD_2022A 03/09/2022 01:34:44 PM Committee Summary

Representatives Bacon and Gonzales-Gutierrez, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 22-1131, concerning measures to reduce justice-involvement for young children, and, in connection therewith, focus on prevention and age-appropriate interventions. The committee heard testimony on the bill at its February 16 meeting.  Representative Gonzales-Gutierrez explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment A).  The committee also considered amendment L.002 (Attachment B), L.003 (Attachment C), and L.011 (Attachment D).

Representative Bacon explained the effect of amendment L.013 (Attachment E).

The committee discussed amendment L.012 (Attachment F), a substitute motion for amendment L.013.

Representative Carver explained the effect of amendment L.007 (Attachment G). Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the amendment.

Representative Bacon explained the effect of amendments L.014 (Attachment H), and L.018 (Attachment I), which amended L.014.

Representative Gonzales-Gutierrez explained the effect of amendment L.016 (Attachment J) and L.019 (Attachment K). Representative Carver explained the effect of amendments L.021 (Attachment L) and L.022 (Attachment M). Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the amendments.

Representatives Gonzales-Gutierrez and Bacon provided closing remarks in support of HB 22-1131. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.

Representatives Soper and Tipper, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 22-1224, concerning theft of public benefits. Representative Soper explained the effect of the bill, and how it would be changed by forthcoming amendments L.001 (Attachment N), L.003 (Attachment O), and L.004 (Attachment P). Representative Tipper provided additional input on the need for the legislation.

Ellen Giarratana, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of HB 22-1224.

Taylor Ivy, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.'

Mike Valentine, representing Arapahoe County, testified on the bill from an "amend" position. Mr. Valentine clarified the county's position on the bill.

Teri Chasten, representing the Department of Human Services, made herself available to answer questions on the bill.

Representative Tipper explained the effect of amendment L.004.

Representative Soper explained the effect of amendment L.003.

Representative Tipper explained the effect of amendment L.001.

Representatives Soper and Tipper provided closing remarks in support of HB 22-1224.

Representatives Tipper and Soper, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-115, concerning clarifying certain terms as the terms relate to a landowner's liability. Representative Tipper explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Soper provided additional input regarding the merits of the bill.

Tamra Ward, representing Coloradans Protecting Patient Access, testified in support of SB 22-115. Committee members received a fact sheet supporting the bill, created by Coloradans for Protecting Patient Access.

Thomas Neville, representing the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, testified in support of the bill.

Kevin Paul, representing Coloradans Protecting Patient Access, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Soper explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment Q).

Representative Benavidez explained the effect of amendment L.002 (Attachment R). Representative Tipper discussed the amendment.

Representatives Soper and Tipper, prime sponsors, provided closing remarks in support of SB 22-115.

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order. Representatives Exum and Soper, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-050, concerning opportunities for persons imprisoned by the Department of Corrections. Representative Exum explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Soper provided additional input on the merits of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding how money earned by offenders under the bill is held in accounts.

Dean Williams, representing the Department of Corrections, testified in support of SB 22-050.

Jessica Warren, representing the Department of Corrections, testified in support of the bill.

Director Williams addressed questions raised during earlier discussion. Discussion ensued regarding how the Department of Corrections handles money earned by offenders in employment programs, and certain language in the bill that bears upon this. Director Williams responded to further questions regarding the deficit status of Colorado Correctional Industries' (CCI) balance sheet, and examples of CCI program failures in terms of revenue. Ms. Warren provided input on the latter issue. Discussion turned to successful CCI programs, and security associated with offenders who are working in the community.

Valerie Collins, representing Towards Justice, testified in opposition to SB 22-050. Discussion ensued regarding statute that requires offenders to engage in work programming. Director Williams returned to address this issue. Ms. Collins responded to questions regarding the potential unconstitutionality of existing law as it pertains to required offender work.

No amendments were offered to SB 22-050. Representatives Soper and Exum provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.

Representative Soper, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 22-092, concerning changes to the "Colorado Probate Code."  Representative Soper explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Soper responded to questions regarding a fact pattern involving adoption.