S_JUD_2018A 04/02/2018 01:32:52 PM Committee Summary

Senator Lambert explained HB18-1065, concerning discipline of a Department of Human Services (DHS) employee when the employee is found to have mistreated a vulnerable person.

Sarah Wager, Director of Administrative Solutions in the DHS, spoke in support of the bill.  She emphasized that the bill offers more robust protection for the vulnerable in the care of DHS.  She further explained the disciplinary action process against an employee in such instances. 

Jeanette Hensley, representing the Colorado Senior Lobby, spoke in support of the bill.  She relayed that it is an important bill that protects seniors and other vulnerable persons.

Senator Lambert made closing remarks. 

Senator Crowder presented HB18-1132, concerning the amount that the Department of Corrections (DOC) is required to reimburse a county, or city and county, for the confinement and maintenance in a local jail of any person who is sentenced to a term of imprisonment in a correctional facility.  He relayed that the bill is from the County Courthouse and County Jail Funding and Overcrowding Solutions Interim Study Committee.  He discussed how the reimbursement rate was originally calculated and stated that it is not representative of actual daily jail costs.  He agreed with the amendments from the House and said it better configures cost.  

Senator Fields mentioned that she sat on the interim committee as well and stressed the importance of a fair reimbursement rate.

Alli Daley, representing Colorado Counties, Incorporated, testified in support of the bill.  She explained the situations in which DOC inmates are in county jails. She reported that the current reimbursement rate does not reflect the actual cost of housing an inmate. She discussed the process in the bill for determining a fair and responsible reimbursement rate and reiterated that the rate is not set in statute. 

Senator Crowder made closing remarks. 

Senator Cooke explained HB18-1109, concerning the discretionary parole of special needs offenders. He reported that the bill is from the Sentencing in the Criminal Justice System Interim Study Committee.  He discussed how the bill modifies special needs offender and special needs parole requirements.  He answered questions about victim notification.

Christina Rosendahl, legislative liaison for the Department of Corrections, testified in support of the measure.  She noted that other states and the federal government have similar laws in place.  She reported that the bill will not impact many inmates, but it is important to have such provisions, especially with an aging inmate population. 

Maureen Cain, representing the Office of the State Public Defender, spoke in favor of the bill.  She emphasized that it is a fair and balanced, and cost-effective, bill.

Senators Coram and Fields, co-sponsors, explained HB18-1243, concerning the enactment of a civl rape shield law.

Pamela Maas, representing herself as a civil attorney, spoke in support of the bill.  She discussed the strong precedent in case law for a rape shield in civil cases. 

Jane Klingensmith, representing herself, testified in favor of the bill.  She discussed her experiences being sexually assaulted by her optometrist and the civil lawsuit that ensued.  She reported that the civil process needs rape shield protections as well.

Ashley Wheeland, representing the Colorado Women's Lobby, spoke in support of the measure.  She emphasized that it aligns with federal and criminal statutes. 

Jennifer Anderson, representing the Office of the Attorney General, testified in support of the bill.  She said the bill provides much needed evidentiary protections.

Senator Coram and Senator Fields made closing remarks and thanked the witnesses for their testimony.