S_JUD_2024A 01/29/2024 01:36:41 PM Committee Summary

Senators Rodriguez and Fields, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-006, considering factors related to the capability to participate in the judicial process in determining whether to place a person into a pretrial diversion program.  The bil is recommended by the Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning the Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems (BHDCJS).

 

 

Mr. Michael Rourke, representing District Attorney for the 19th Judicial District, testified in opposition to the bill. He raised concerns about participants who have been deemed incompetent to proceed, staffing, and other resource issues. 

Mr. Ben Sollars, representing Assistant District Attorney for the 9th Judicial District, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed staffing and and legal issues about individuals who are found incompetent to proceed.

Committee members asked questions about juveniles with developmental disabilities, diversion, and the juvenile justice system. The District Attorneys expressed their willingness to work with the bill sponsors and other stakeholders to address concerns about the bill. 

Jack Johnson, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.  The importance of a diversion option for this population was discussed, as well as an offer to work on amendments with stakeholders.

Mr. James Karbach, representing Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill.  He discussed resources, the voluntary nature of the bill, and legal impediments.

Committee members asked questions about potential amendments.  Further inquiries were made about competency and case law.

The bill sponsors noted their willingness to work on amendments throughout the process to address district attorney concerns and others. 

The bill sponsors made closing comments, followed by committee member closing comments. 

 

Senator Fields, bill sponsor, explained Senate Bill 24-052, concerning ongoing funding the Colorado 911 resource center, and, in connection therewith, requiring reporting to ensure that the funding is being expended efficiently and effectively, and making an appropriation.  This bill is also recommended by the BHDCJS. 

Senator Fields distributed and explained Amendment L.001 about training standards and data collection (Attachment A).

Mr. Daryl Branson, representing Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, testified in support of the bill.

JaciMarie Louise, representing Colorado 911 Advisory Task Force Legislative Committee, testified in support of the bill and amendment.

Joseph Benkert, representing Boulder Regional Emergency Telephone Service Authority (BRETSA), testified in support of the bill. Concerns were raised about the amendment and reporting requirements. 

Mr. Jeremy Schupbach, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions about standardization and current reporting requirements. 

 

Connie Johnson, representing Colorado 911 Resource Center, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Fields recapped amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

 

 

Senator Fields made closing remarks.

Senators Gonzales and Coleman, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-012 concerning the creation of a reentry workforce development cash assistance pilot program for persons who were incarcerated.  The bill sponsors discussed recidivism rates, workforce training, and the challenges of reentry. 

 

 

Ms. Adrienne Sanchez, representing Colorado Department of Corrections, testified in opposition to the bill. She discussed internal opportunities and targeted placements and  long term outcome.

Cory Gaines, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.  Suggestions were made to lower the amount of cash assistance.

Committee members asked questions about the pay rate in prison. 

Demetrius Somerville, representing Center for Employment Opportunities, testified in support of the bill.

Valerie Greenhagen, representing Center for Employment Opportunities, testified in support of the bill.

Shaun McGrath, representing Center for Employment Opportunities, testified in support of the bill.

Errol Flynn, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Kiyomi Bolick, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Joshua Hursa, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Senators Coleman and Gonzales made closing comments and asked for the bill to be laid over until a later date. 

Senators Roberts and Baisley, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-058, concerning landowner liability un the Colorado recreational use statute.  The bill sponsors discussed a similar bill from 2023 (Senate Bill 23-103) and changes to ensure that a landowner is not deemed to have willfully or maliciously failed to warn of dangerous conditions provided certain conditions are met. 

 

Patrick Schilken, representing themself, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Kate Beezley, representing Boulder Climbing Community, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. David Dazlich, representing Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Tamira Jenlink, representing Leadville Race Series, Life Time, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Adam Ducharme, representing Lake County Tourism Panel, testified in support of the bill.

Dianna Orf, representing Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Byron Harvison, representing The American Alpine Club, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Lloyd Athearn, representing Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. John Lacroix, representing Human Potential Running Series, testified in support of the bill.

Anneliese Steel, representing Fix CRUS Coalition & Boulder Climbing Community, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Tyler Garrett, representing Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill.

John Reiber, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Heather Disney Dugan, representing Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Baisley distributed Amendment L.002 to make technical changes (Attachment B).

The bill sponsors made closing remarks.