H_JUD_2019A 01/17/2019 01:32:06 PM Committee Summary

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Ms. Kristen Forrestal, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided background on the Statutory Revision Committee and its activities, from which House Bill 19-1060 originated. Representative McKean, prime sponsor, presented HB 19-1060, concerning conforming amendments necessitated by the transfer of certain safety authorities from the Department of Public Health and Environment to the Department of Public Safety Pursuant to House Bill 12-1268. Representative McKean explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Ms. Ann Hause, Department of Public Health and Environment, provided additional information on the need for the legislation. Ms. Hause responded to questions regarding duties performed by the Department of Public Safety with respect to life-safety codes. Representative McKean responded to questions regarding the position of the Department of Public Safety on the bill. Ms. Forrestal responded to questions regarding certain legislative drafting conventions. Discussion ensued regarding the fiscal impact of HB 19-1060.

No amendments were offered to HB 19-1060. Representative McKean provided closing remarks in support of the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order.  Representatives Carver and McLachlan, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1051, concerning human trafficking prevention training by the Department of Public Safety.  Representative Carver explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need.  Representative McLachlan provided additional information on the legislation.  Representative Carver responded to questions regarding reporting requirements contained in the bill, and the fiscal impact of the bill.  Mr. Chris Creighton, Legislative Council Staff, provided input on the fiscal impact of HB 19-1051, and future funding for the bill's programming if gifts, grants, and donations are received.  Discussion ensued regarding the potential for sunsetting the bill's programming.

The following persons testified regarding HB 19-1051:



Detective Christopher Stadler, representing the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, testified in support of the bill.  Detective Stadler discussed the problem of human trafficking, and explained how training would improve the situation.



Ms. Kelly Zebroski, representing Jefferson County Human Services, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Zebroski discussed the work of her office on human trafficking, and the importance of training in addressing this issue.



Ms. Maria Trujillo and Ms. Margaret Ochoa, representing the Department of Public Safety, testified in support the bill.  Ms. Trujillo discussed statewide collaborations to address human trafficking, including the development of training criteria and disseminate the training regimen throughout the state.  Ms. Ochoa further discussed the importance of training to combatting human trafficking.  Discussion ensued regarding the impact of the bill on programming trajectory, and the fiscal impact of the bill.  Ms. Trujillo and Ms. Ochoa responded to questions regarding the measurement of human trafficking training effectiveness, and training available to schools.  Discussion ensued regarding the adequacy of the appropriations to be made under the bill, and Colorado's position as an epicenter of human trafficking.

Ms. Jenny Kraska, representing the Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in support of HB 19-1051.  Ms. Kraska discussed the benefits of human trafficking training.

Ms. Sue Ricker, representing the Interfaith Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Betty Boyd, representing the American Association of University Women, testified in support of the bill.  Committee members received a packet of letters in support of the bill (Attachment A).  Representative Carver explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment B).