j_micjs_2018a_2018-09-27t09:37:49z1 Hearing Summary

Moses Gur, MHDCJS Task Force Chair, presented to the committee on task force activities and distributed a handout (Attachment B).  He discussed recent task force leadership changes and vacancies.  Mr. Gur provided an update on new task force working groups on competency and governance.  The continuing subcommittees of the task force include juvenile services, diversion and early intervention, housing, and data.

Peggy Heil, MHDCJS Task Force, presented on the work of the data subcommittee.  She described a planning grant that was awarded to the subcommittee by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.  Ms. Heil described progress on the grant and the subcommittee's interest in holding a stakeholder event on data sharing as it relates to persons with mental health disorders in the criminal justice system.

Ms. Heil and Mr. Gur responded to questions on the necessity of a stakeholder event and the progress of the grant.  Committee discussion ensured regarding the timing, usefulness, and participants for a data sharing stakeholder event.      

Mr. Gur responded to questions regarding the connection between juvenile sex offender status and mental health.  Karen Knickerbocker, MHDCJS Task Force, presented regarding the task force's research on the juvenile sex offender registry and partnership with the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB). 

Dr. Carl Blake, SOMB, discussed the SOMB recommendations regarding the juvenile sex offender registry.  A copy of the SOMB white paper and recommendations was distributed to the committee (Attachment C).  Laurie Rose Kepros, Office of the State Public Defender, discussed the connection between registration of juveniles sex offenders and negative public health outcomes of juveniles, including social isolation.

Dr. Blake and Ms. Kepros continued to respond to committee questions regarding juveniles with mental health disorders who commit sex offenses, victim adovcate responses to the SOMB recommendations, recidivism of juvenile sex offenders, and the connection between juvenile sex offender registration and sentencing.  

 Committee discussion continued regarding the charge of the committee and task force related to the juvenile sex offender registry.  

Mr. Gur discussed the committee's bill drafts and amendments.  A copy of the bills, fiscal notes, and amendments were distributed to the committee (Attachment D).   He explained that the task force does not recommend that Bill #3 move forward.  He also described amendments to Bill #1 and #2.  Mr. Gur and Dr. Blake responded to questions regarding issues with Bill #3 and possible solutions.

Committee discussion ensued regarding Bill #3 and #4.  Representative Benavidez recessed the committee.

The committee came back to order.  Representative Singer discussed concerns regarding voting on the bills and the possibility of holding an additional committee meeting.  Mr. Gur commented on victim's access to the juvenile sex offender registry.