s_jud_2016a_2016-02-17t13:30:08z4 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/17/2016

03:18 PM -- SB16-042



Senator Aguilar, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-042, concerning conditional immunity from certain offenses. Senator Aguilar distributed and explained Amendments L.001 (Attachment F), L.003 (Attachment G), L.004 (Attachment H), and L.005 (Attachment I).



16SenateJud0217AttachF.pdf 16SenateJud0217AttachG.pdf



16SenateJud0217AttachH.pdf 16SenateJud0217AttachI.pdf





03:23 PM -- Ms. Helen Alvillar, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Alvillar discussed her experience with her son's death.



03:26 PM -- Ms. Sarah Clark, representing Smart Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Clark discussed how marijuana may affect youths.



03:30 PM -- Ms. Alison Maffey, representing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Maffey provided information on drug-related deaths, and stated that the bill would reduce drug-related teen deaths. Senator Aguilar explained a provision of the bill.



03:33 PM -- Ms. Lisa Raville, representing the Harm Reduction Action Center and Colorado Organizations Responding to AIDS, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Raville explained her experience working with those experiencing a drug overdose.



03:35 PM -- Mr. Vernon Lewis, representing the Harm Reduction Action Center, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Lewis explained reasons that people do not call 911 when an individual is experiencing an overdose, and discussed his experience assisting others.



03:37 PM -- Ms. Carol Helwig, representing Boulder County Public Health, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Helwig discussed the experience of those who need help during an overdose. She provided information on deaths caused by overdose.



03:40 PM -- Ms. Dana Richkin, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Richkin discussed her experience with her son's opioid overdose. Ms. Richkin responded to a question relating to educating the public about immunity laws.



03:43 PM -- Mr. Ron Sloan, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), testified on the bill. Mr. Sloan stated that CACP had not reviewed the amendments, and expressed specific concerns regarding the bill.



03:48 PM -- Mr. Tom Raynes, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified on the bill. Mr. Raynes discussed prior legislation concerning similar subjects and explained his concerns regarding the bill. In response to a question, Mr. Raynes discussed procedures used by law enforcement and factors considered when determining whether to press charges relating to drug overdoses.





03:58 PM



The committee and Mr. Raynes continued to discuss law enforcement actions and related prosecution.



04:01 PM -- Mr. Jeff Thormodsgaard, representing the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, the Colorado Medical Society, AIDS service organizations in Colorado, and the Harm Reduction Action Center, testified in support of the bill. He discussed best practices related to handling opioid addiction and expressed a willingness to work on the bill.





04:03 PM



Senator Aguilar provided closing remarks on the bill. Committee members explained their positions on the bill.

04:11 PM



The committee adjourned.