J_MICJS_2018A 06/27/2018 01:06:40 PM Committee Summary

Representative Benavidez explained House Bill 18-1040 to the committee, which requires the Department of Corrections to develop incentives for providers to ensure that sex offenders in prison receive rehabilitation.

Senator Martinez Humenik updated the committee on Senate Bill 18-016, which continues indefinitely a transfer of funds from the Department of Public Safety to a transitional housing fund in the Department of Local Affairs.

Representative Singer summarized House Bill 18-1050 to the committee, which made several changes to statute regarding juvenile competency to proceed.

Representative Singer noted that all three bills passed and were signed by the governor.

Camille Harding, Colorado Department of Human Services, explained how medications are given to inmates in county jails.  She described the process that occurs when an inmate refuses medication.

Ms. Harding summarized Senate Bill 18-263 to the committee. The bill would have created a pilot program to allow psychiatrists to petition the court for authority to administer medications in a jail over the objections of an inmate.

Dr. Sasha Rai, Denver Health, explained his work as a mental health provider in the Denver County jail.  He descried how inmates with mental health disoirders are medicated, and described the court process that ensues when an inmate refuses medication.

Senator Martinez Humenik commented on the Mental Health Disorders in the Crimnial and Juvenile Justice Systems Task Force (task force) involvement with the issue of involuntary medication.  Ms. Harding explained that the task force has had difficulty coming to agreement on the policy of involuntary medication.

Committee discussion ensued regarding involuntary medication, civil rights concerns, data gathering, and best practices.

Dr. Rai discussed replicating the Denver County jail medication program.

Representative Singer opened up the discussion for public comment.  Gina Shimeall, representing herself, expressed her concerns regarding involuntary medication.

Committee members dialogued with Ms. Shimeall regarding task force discussions on involuntary medication.

Chrissie Hodges, representing herself, expressed her concerns with persons with mental health disorders being forced to take medications againt their will.

Vince Atchity, representing himself, commented on the policy of involuntary medication.

Moses Gur, Colorado Behavioral Health Care Council, commented on the work of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice regarding involuntary medication.

Mr. Gur responded to questions regarding funding for crisis services in Colorado.

Ms. Harding returned to the table to respond to questions about the crisis response system.

Camille Harding, MHDCJS Task Force Chair, gave an overview of the work of the task force, including discussion the task force had at their May retreat.

Ms Harding described two policy areas in which the task force is prepared to propose legislation to the oversight committee and distributed handouts (Attachment A).  She explained that the proposals are regarding changes to the juvenile sex offender registry and time limits on restoration to competency. 

Tariq Sheikh, MHDCJS Task Force, presented on recommendations regarding changes to the juvenile sex offender registry.

Ms. Harding discussed limiting the time that individuals may be confined while waiting for restoration to competency services.  She noted that the idea was included in Senate Bill 18-252, which did not pass during session.  She suggested that the time individals may be held should correlate with the severity of the charges.

Ms. Harding explained that the task force recently voted on which areas of study to focus on this year.  She noted that the school to prison pipeline, housing and residential capacity, and data and information sharing alignment were high level ideas for the task force to focus on.

Senator Martinez Humenik explained concerns regarding data privacy.  Ms. Harding discussed state and federal laws regarding data privacy.

Representative Benavidez expressed her thoughts regarding the juvenile sex offender registry and requested that the task force provide proposals in the form of legislation for the committee.

The committee discussed the format that the task force uses to present bill ideas and requests to the oversight committee.

Mr. Sheikh clarified the task force's support for the juvenile sex offender white paper recommendations.

Ms. Harding responded to questions regarding the relevance of the school to prison pipeline as it relates to the charge of the committee.  The committee discussed the intersection of school violence, mental health, and the justice system.

Representative Singer recommended that oversight committee members attend or participate in task force meetings.

Ms. Harding explained that the competency, date, housing, and prevention subcommittees are in the process of being reorganized.  She will report on the new subcommittees once they have been decided upon by the task force.

The committee discussed mental health treatment in different facilities, including jails, as well as educational opportunities regarding mental health.

Ms. Shimeall came to the table to comment on the process of developing task force recommendations for the oversight committee.

Jennifer Longtin, MHDCJS Task Force, discussed examples of diversion programs in other states.  She noted that making big changes to the criminal justice system may be expensive for the state.

Representative Benavidez dialogued with the panel regarding the shift from treating mental illness in hospital settings to the criminal justice system.

Representative Singer discussed possible changes to the statutory requirements of the task force.  Representative Benavidez commented on how the task force decides on issues to study and the timelines for producing recommendations.

Senator Fields commented on voluntary participation in the work of the task force.

Ms. Walton commented on the challenges with providing specific work products from the task force.  Ms. Shimeall provided a summary of the statutory requirements of the task force.

Jane Ritter, Office of Legislative Legal Services, distributed a handout and discussed bill request deadlines for the committee (Attachment B). 

Kerry White, Legislative Council Staff, explained that she is the primary contact for fiscal notes and is available for any fiscal questions that the committee may have.

Ms. Harding discussed next steps regarding recommendations from the task force.

Senator Fields noted that she heard policy recommendations at a conference regarding the juvenile justice system.

Representative Benavidez discussed the Restoring Individuals Safely and Effectively program and the Denver Health's work in the Denver County jail.

Committee members disucssed their availability for future meeting dates. 

Tim Lopez, representing himself, commented on the school to prison pipeline and the focus of the oversight committee.

Committee discussion with Mr. Lopez contnued.