A91EB18DB680FE0587258C4B00810994 Hearing Summary

Representatives Armagost
and Lindsay, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1194, concerning protections
for victims of economic abuse. The bill sponsors explained the effect of
the bill and discussed its need.



Committee members
asked questions about the fiscal note. Additional questions were raised
about burden of proof and the time frame involved.

Ms. Roshan Kalantar,
representing Violence Free Colorado, testified in support of the bill.
Ms. ReJeania Downing, representing themself, testified in support of the
bill. Carmina Lass, representing Department of Law, testified in support
of the bill. Aimee Jensen, representing themself, testified in support
of the bill.



The panelists
responded to questions regarding how a case would be presented in court
under HB 25-1194. Discussion ensued regarding certain civil court processes
surrounding debt and what constitutes "sufficient documentation"
under the bill.

Ariane Frosh, representing Colorado Poverty Law Project, testified in support of the bill. Morgan McGarvey, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Makyla Moody, representing Colorado Creditors Bar Association, testified in support of the bill. Blake Boettcher, representing BC Services, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jeffrey Reister, Department of Law, made himself available to respond to questions.



Committee members asked questions regarding the types of debt covered in the bill, in addition to other questions about the bill's scope.

Rebekah Layton, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Eric Nelson, representing
the National Action Network Colorado, testified in support of HB 25-1194.
Ms. Onnastasia Cole, representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault,
testified in support of the bill. Courtney Sutton, representing Colorado
Organization for Victim Assistance, testified in support of the bill. David
Frost, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked questions about similar legislation in other states.



Written comments
about the bill are in Attachment C.

Representative Armagost explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment D), and responded to questions regarding the origin of certain language in the amendment. Shelby Ross, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided input on the amendment.

Representatives Armagost and Zokaie provided closing remarks in support of HB 25-1194. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.