S_JUD_2022A 02/24/2022 01:33:42 PM Committee Summary

Senators Fields and Moreno, co-prime sponsors, explained Senate Bill 22-095, concerning improving missing person investigations.   They discussed women of color, aging populations, outcomes, data, and timely reports.

Ms Micaela Parker, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Janet Drake, representing Department of Law, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed the Cold Case Task Force, trends, and annual reports.

John Camper, Director, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, testified in support of the bill. He discussed underreporting and the importance of timeliness in getting missing person cases entered into the system. 

Sterling Harris, representing COVA, testified in support of the bill.  She supported improved data collection from marginalized communities. 

Discussion ensued about the benefits of reporting information to the National Crime Information Center database. 

Senator Moreno distributed and presented Amendment L.002 regarding aging populations and other clarifications for law enforcement (Attachment A). 

Senators Fields and Moreno made closing remarks.

Senators Hisey and Rodriguez, co-prime sponsors, explained Senate Bill 22-099, concerning the procedure for sealing of criminal records for nonviolent offenses, and, in connection therewith, addressing workforce shortages and minimizing barriers to employment for job seekers. They walked the committee through the bill and discussed the stakeholder process.   

Ray Harlen, representing self, testified to amend the bill.

Mr. Stephen Ball, representing self, testified to amend the bill.  He discussed waiting periods and statutes of limitations.

Ms Elizabeth Peetz, representing Colorado Association of Realtors, testified to amend the bill.

Meghan MacKillop, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified to amend the bill. 

Mr. Arnold Hanuman, representing Colorado District Attorneys' Council (CDAC), testified in a neutral position on the bill. He noted that the upcoming proposed amendments address many of the CDAC concerns. 

Ellen Giarratana, representing Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill.

Abbey Moffitt Hruby, representing self, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the benefits of record sealing.

Dr. Robert Davis, representing Seasoned With Grace UnBoxed, testified in support of the bill.

Mr Christopher Howes, representing Colorado Retail Council, testified in support of the bill. 

Mr. David Emerick, representing JP Morgan Chase, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Drew Patterson, representing Basic Industries, testified in support of the bill.  He discussed how his company partners with Department of Corrections (DOC) in Buena Vista. 

Committee members asked questions about DOC's Take Two program and untapped labor forces. 

Marcus Weaver, representing The People’s Pickles/Community Outreach Service Center, testified in support of the bill.

Mr Tajuddin Ashaheed, representing SECOND CHANCE CENTER, testified in support of the bill.

Mr Steffan Richardson, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Candace Bailey, representing self and formerly incarcerated persons, testified in support of the bill.

Michael Diez Rivera, representing himself, testified in support of the measure.

Mr. John Seward, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Senators Hisey and Rodriguez presented and explained the following amendments:

• L.001 (Attachment B)
• L.002 (Attachment C)
• L.003 (Attachment D)
• L.004 (Attachment E)
• L.006 (Attachment F)
• L.007 (Attachment G)
• L.016 (Attachment H)
• L.010 (Attachment I)
• L.011 (Attachment J)
• L.012 (Attachment K)
• L.013 (Attachment L)
• L.014 (Attachment M)
• L.015 (Attachment N)
• L.017 (Attachment O)

Senator Lee referenced letters in support of the bill (Attachment P).

Senators Rodriguez and Hisey made closing remarks.

Senator Cooke, sponsor, explained Senate Bill 22-043, concerning enhancing restitution services for victims.  He distributed and explained strike below Amendment L.002 (Attachment Q).  He discussed the bill per changes in the strike below. 

Mr. James Karbach, representing Colorado State Public Defender's Office, testified in a neutral position on the bill, if amended.  He referenced proposed amendments. 

Lisa Perry, representing Colorado Victims for Justice member, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Victoria McGrath, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Ray Harlan, representing Colorado Victims for Justice, testified in support of the bill. He distributed two handouts about court cases and restitution in other states (Attachments R and S).

Mr. Arnold Hanuman, representing Colorado District Attorneys' Council (CDAC), testified in support of the bill. question about restitution

The committee asked questions about restitution orders.  

Larry Desbien, representing Co. Dept. of Human Services (CDHS), was available to answer committee questions.

Ms. Jeana Hughes, representing CDHS, was available to answer committee questions.

Senator Cooke revisited Amendment L.002, the strike below (Attachment Q). 

Senator Gonzales distributed and explained Amendment L.003 about timelines (Attachment T). 

Senator Gonzales distributed and explained Amendment L. 004 about hearings for restitution (Attachment U). 

Senator Gonzales distributed and explained Amendment L. 005 about travel expenses (Attachment V).

Senator Gonzales distributed and explained Amendment L. 006, which makes technical corrections about allowable expenses (Attachment W). 

Senator Cooke made closing comments.