3A6D26A02A868A598725826C0079D2C5 Hearing Summary

The committee was called back to order.  

Senator Holbert explained HB18-1156, concerning limitations on penalties for truancy.  He explained the detrimental effects of incarcerating kids for truancy.

Terry Scanlon, representing the Colorado Judicial Department, provided neutral testimony on the bill and answered questions from the committee.  He discussed the underlying issues of truancy and discussed the amendment from the House which allows individual courts to develop their own truancy plans. He also noted that there has been a decline in the use of detention for truants. 

Meg Williams, representing the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Public Safety, provided neutral testimony on the bill.  She cited statistics and studies about the detrimental effects, such as low high school graduation rates, of detaining truant kids.  She reminded committee members that truancy is a status offense and not a crime that warrants detention.

Elizabeth Logeman, representing the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed truancy, graduation rates, and racial disparity. 

Stacie Colling, representing the Office of Alternative Defense Counsel, spoke in favor of the bill.  She read into the record a statement from an attorney regarding a truancy case.

Linda Weinerman, representing the Colorado Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed guardians ad litem, child welfare, and mental health issues in relation to truancy.

Leslie Colwell, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, spoke in favor of the bill.  She discussed costs of detention and suggested intervention as an alternative course of action.

A position statement from the Disability Law Colorado was distributed the committee members (Attachment D).

Amendment L.012 was distributed and discussed (Attachment E).