H_JUD_2021A 05/26/2021 03:13:27 PM Committee Summary

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representatives Soper and Weissman, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 21-266, concerning the nonsubstantive revision of statutes in the Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended, and, in connection therewith, amending or repealing obsolete, imperfect, and inoperative law to preserve the legislative intent.  Representative Soper explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Weissman provided additional input on the bill.

Jennifer Gilroy, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to questions regarding the process by which the Revisor's Bill is created.

Representative Bacon, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 21-146, concerning measures to improve prison release outcomes. Representative Bacon explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Bacon responded to questions regarding how the bill will impact offenders with special needs, and exclusions in the bill for what constitutes a special needs offender. Discussion ensued regarding parole plans.

Christie Donner, representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of SB 21-146.

Maureen Cain, representing the Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill.

Terri Hurst, representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Matthew Server, representing the Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding eligibility for, and exclusion from, special needs parole, and the considerations undertaken in crafting the bill.

Sharon Anable, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB 21-146.

Ray Harlan, representing Colorado Victims for Justice, testified in opposition to SB 21-146.

Aaron Greco, representing the Department of Corrections, made himself available to answer questions on SB 21-146, testifying from a neutral position. Mr. Greco responded to questions regarding how the department will better position certain offenders for parole under the bill, and the scope of the bill in terms of the number of offenders affected. Mr. Greco responded to further questions regarding access to care by special needs parolees.

Representative Bacon explained the effect of amendment L.009 (Attachment A).

Representative Bacon provided closing remarks in support of SB 21-146. Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the legislation.

Representatives Bird and Carver, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 21-174, concerning adoption of written policies by law enforcement agencies for constitutionally  Committee members received a fact sheet supporting the bill (Attachment B). Representative Carver explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Bird provided additional input on the merits of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the appointments to the committee created by the bill, and the criteria to be considered by the committee.

Tom Raynes, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, made himself available to answer questions on SB 21-174, making remarks on the functioning of the bill.

Tim Lane, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, made himself available to answer questions on SB 21-174, making remarks on the functioning of the bill.

Maureen Cain, representing the Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support of SB 21-174.

Ron Sloan, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, testified in support of the bill.

Sean McCauley, representing the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding the criteria required in the model for statewide police credibility under the bill, and the constitution of the committee created by the bill.

The prime sponsors of SB 21-174 provided closing remarks in support of the bill.