H_ED_2023A 02/23/2023 01:31:32 PM Committee Summary

Representative Sharbini, sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1168 to the committee. The bill requires the Department of Education to develop a list of attorneys qualified to represent parents in special education disputes with public schools, and appoint these attorneys to represent parents in certain appeal situations. Representative Joseph also presented on the bill. Committee members questioned the sponsors about the bill.

Mr. Elie Zwiebel, representing Colorado Juvenile Defender Center, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Christopher DeBeer, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Kristen DeBeer, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Matthew Sandler, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Kallie Leyba, representing AFT Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Jack Johnson, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Maureen Welch, representing Navigating Disability Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Dawn Fritz, representing Colorado Parent Teacher Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Johnson responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Jennifer Iversen, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jennifer Levin, representing Arc of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Pamela Bisceglia, representing AdvocacyDenver, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Richard Barela, representing themself, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Representatives Sharbini and Joseph presented amendment L.001 (Attachment A). They responded to questions from the committee.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Representatives Joseph and Sharbini wrapped up their presentation of the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

Representative Amabile and Representative Hamrick, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-048 to the committee. The bill extends the maximum length of employment contracts between state institutions of higher education and non-tenure track teachers or librarians from three years to five years. Committee members received a handout in support of the bill (Attachment B) and asked questions of the sponsors.

Michael Lightner, representing University of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Daria Kotys-Schwartz, representing University of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Hamrick presented amendment L.001 (Attachment C).

Representatives Hamrick and Amabile wrapped up their presentation of the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

Dan Schaller, representing Colorado League of Charter Schools, testified in support of the bill. Sasha Green, representing Moonshot Adventures, testified in support of the bill. Angelina Sierra-Sandoval, representing Colorado League of Charter Schools and Wildflower Montessori Public Schools of Colorado, testified in support of the bill and provided written testimony (Attachment D). Michelle Murphy, representing Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Schaller responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Michaelson Jenet discussed amendment L.003 (Attachment D). Committee members discussed the amendment.

Representatives Michaelson Jenet and Taggart wrapped up their presentation of the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.