s_jud_2016a_2016-02-17t13:30:08z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/17/2016

01:30 PM -- SB16-047



Senator Roberts, chair, called the committee to order. A quorum was present. Senator Woods, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-047, concerning prohibiting juvenile facilities from providing care for a juvenile who is truant. Senator Woods asked that the committee hear testimony on the bill, and then postpone indefinitely SB 16-047 following the hearing.



01:32 PM -- Senator Holbert, co-sponsor, explained his reasons for co-sponsoring the bill and sponsoring a similar bill during the 2015 legislative session.



01:36 PM -- Ms. Hannah Proff, representing the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Proff provided information concerning truancy and how it relates to students dropping out of school.



01:42 PM -- Mr. Justin Cooper, representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Cooper suggested that schools should adopt evidence based practices to reduce truant behavior. He also discussed procedures concerning detaining truant juveniles. Mr. Cooper responded to questions regarding services that may be affected by the bill.



01:48 PM -- Ms. Regan Benson, representing the Every Student Matters Project, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Benson discussed issues relating to detaining truant students, the effects of prior legislation on this subject, and her work following the passage of legislation during the 2015 legislative session.



01:52 PM -- Ms. Jane Whatley, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Whatley discussed her experience with her son in the truancy detention system.



01:55 PM -- Ms. Marijo Rymer, representing The ARC of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Rymer discussed how juveniles with developmental and intellectual disabilities are treated under the existing system.



01:57 PM -- Mr. Chris Johnson, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Johnson discussed his experience as a sheriff detaining truant students.



02:00 PM -- Colorado Supreme Court Justice Brian Boatright, representing the Colorado Judicial Branch, provided testimony on the bill. Justice Boatright discussed related legislation passed during the 2015 legislative session, and provided an update on initiatives taken by the Judicial Branch following enactment of that legislation. Justice Boatright responded to questions regarding the membership of stakeholder groups created following prior legislation; truancy, generally; and why certain state departments are not involved in determining policy. In response to a question, Justice Boatright discussed potential alternatives to detention.



02:10 PM -- Mr. Loren Brown, representing the Colorado Bar Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Brown discussed constitutional concerns regarding the bill.





02:14 PM



Senator Woods provided closing remarks on the bill.