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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB23-039

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Apr 5, 2023       Location HCR 0107

SB23-039 - Referred to House Appropriations
02:40:10 PM  
Representative Amabile, prime bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-039, concerning measures to reduce family separation caused by a parent's detention. The bill makes several changes to the dependency and neglect process for parents who are incarcerated in a state or local facility, including addressing:  rights for parents who are incarcerated and going through dependency and neglect; dispositional hearings and treatment plans; permanent placements; and termination of parental relationship.  Representative Amabile responded to questions from the committee.
02:50:49 PM  
Shawna Geiger, representing the Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Malia Reddick, representing the Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel, testified in support of the bill. Jamie Ray, representing the Second Chance Center, testified in support of the bill. Benjamin Teevan, representing Stand for Children, Fostering Colorado, and the Colorado Association of Family and Children's Agencies, testified in support of the bill. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.
03:13:02 PM  
Ashley Chase, representing the Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill. Pamela Clifton, representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Tara Doxtater, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Michele Deal, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.
03:37:47 PM  
Sarah Lopez, representing Elephant Circle, testified in support of the bill. Lauren Smith, representing Soul 2 Soul Sisters, testified in support of the bill. Terrina Flora-Alexander, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Jena Fleiner, representing the Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.
04:00:56 PM  
Annie Terry, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Lori Foster, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Aubrey Valencia, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Melanie Jordan, representing the Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.
04:16:47 PM  
Natalie Perez, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Andrea Juarez, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Matthew Server, representing the Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in support of the bill.
04:24:47 PM  
Representative Amabile made concluding remarks on the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

04:36:13 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 23-039 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Amabile
Seconded Young
Amabile Yes
Bradfield Yes
Bradley Yes
Gonzales-Gutierrez Yes
Hamrick Yes
Holtorf Yes
Joseph Yes
Lieder Yes
Velasco Yes
Young Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Final YES: 11   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS