s_jud_2016a_2016-03-16t13:32:40z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/16/2016

02:09 PM -- SB16-146



Senator Steadman, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-146, concerning modernizing statutes related to sexually transmitted infections. Senator Steadman explained information he provided to the committee. He discussed specific provisions of the bill and the reasons he supports it.



02:19 PM -- Senator Steadman continued to discuss his reasons for supporting the bill, including discussing health concerns and recent events. Senator Roberts announced that after the hearing, the bill would be laid over for action at a future meeting.





02:27 PM



Senator Steadman and Senator Lundberg discussed the bill.



02:41 PM -- Ms. Barb Cardell, representing the Colorado Organizations Responding to AIDS, testified in support of the bill. She discussed her reasons for supporting the bill. Ms. Cardell responded to a committee question regarding groups involved with the bill.



02:45 PM -- Dr. Rachel Herlihy and Ms. Rebecca Jordan Yehle, representing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Yehle discussed specific provisions of the bill. Dr. Herlihy discussed the purpose of the bill, and the public health concerns relating to the bill. Senator Lundberg, Senator Steadman, and the witnesses discussed specific provisions of the bill.





02:55 PM



The committee, Senator Steadman, and the witnesses continued to discuss specific provisions of the bill.



03:01 PM -- Ms. Lisa VanRaemdonck, representing the Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the role of local public health agencies in testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and the interests of her organization.



03:05 PM -- Ms. Natalie Frei, Mr. Mike Taylor, and Ms. Stephanie Grismer, representing the Colorado Mod Squad, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Frei discussed issues concerning enhanced criminal penalties based on HIV status. Ms. Grismer made herself available for questions. Mr. Taylor discussed the main parts of the bill.



03:11 PM -- Mr. Tim Johnson, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, provided neutral testimony on the bill. Mr. Johnson discussed best practices concerning criminalizing activity involving HIV status. Senator Steadman and the witness discussed federal Department of Justice guidance relating to such criminalization.



03:20 PM -- Mr. Scott Turner, representing the Colorado Attorney General's Office and the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, provided neutral testimony on the bill. Mr. Turner discussed concerns regarding the bill.



Senator Roberts laid the bill over for action at a future meeting.