S_JUD_2024A 03/11/2024 01:35:20 PM Committee Summary

Senators Winter and Cutter, prime sponsors, recapped the hearing on Senate Bill 24-011, on-line facilitated misconduct and remote participation, from February 24, 2024.  They brought forth amendments for committee consideration. 

Senator Winter presented and explained Amendment L.009 (Attachment A).

Senator Winter distributed and explained Amendment L.014 (Attachment B).

Senator Cutter distributed and explained Amendment L.015 (Attachment C).

Senator Winter distributed and explained Amendment L.016 (Attachment D).

Senator Gardner distributed and explained explained L.012 (Attachment E). 

The bill sponsors agreed to revisit this amendment on second reading.  Senator Gardner withdrew his motion. 

Senator Van Winkle distributed and explaied Amendment L.010 (Attachment F).  Committee members and the bill sponsors asked questions about the amendment. 

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee reconvened to finish voting on the amendment.

The bill sponsors made closing remarks. 

The committee members made closing remarks. 

Senators Gonalez and Buckner, co prime sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1103, concerning prohibitions on the official use of the term "excited delirium". The bill sponsors explained the need to shift away from this term.  

Committee members asked questions about the bill and legislating medical terms. 

Mr. John Seward, representing EMSAC, testified to amend the bill.  He distributed a handout from the medical community that made suggested amendments (Attachment G).

Mr. Donnie Woodyard, representing themself, testified to amend the bill.

Dr. Jeffrey Beckman, representing self, testified to amend the bill.

Eric Hill, representing themself, testified to amend the bill.

Committee members asked questions to the panel about the suggested amendment and concerns raised about the bill as written. Further discussion ensued about defining medical terms in state law. 

Anaya Robinson, representing ACLU of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Jefferey Riester, representing Department of Law , testified in support of the bill.

Bridget Anshus, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Written testimony about the bill may be found in Attachment H.

The bill sponsors made closing comments. 

Committee members made closing comments.

Senators Roberts and Gardner, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1291, concerning a licensed legal paraprofessinal's authority to represent individuals in certain domestic relations matters.  The bill sponsors discussed legal assistant licensure and regulating the profession. 

Jefferey Riester, representing Department of Law, testified in support of the bill.

Elisa Overall, representing Colorado Access to Justice Commission, testified in support of the bill.

Kip Kolkmeier, representing The Mediation Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Angela Arkin, representing Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals Committee, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions about guarding against potential abuse, ethics, and oversight related to the profession. 

The bill sponsors made closing remarks.