6BA5E8854FDC2E2F8725824F006B649C Hearing Summary

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representatives Carver and Ginal, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1115, concerning the provision of training materials related to human trafficking by the Department of Public Safety.  Representative Ginal explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Carver provided input on the need for the legislation. Discussion ensued regarding trends in human trafficking in Colorado, and how the duties of school personnel will be affected by the bill. Discussion followed regarding funding for the bill's programming, and the school curriculum to be developed under the bill. Representative Carver responded to questions regarding human trafficking-related training for colleges and universities under the bill.

Ms. Margaret Ochoa and Ms. Maria Trujillo, representing the Department of Public Safety, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Trujillo provided an overview of the Human Trafficking Council, housed within the department, and the training developed by the council.  Ms. Ochoa discussed the duties of the School Safety Resource Center within the department, and the benefits of HB 18-1115.  Discussion ensued regarding human trafficking trends in schools among certain demographics.  Discussion followed regarding the impact of transportation infrastructure on human trafficking

Detective Christopher Stadler, representing the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Innocence Lost Task Force, testified in support of HB 18-1115.  Detective Stadler addressed questions raised earlier about the scope of human trafficking in Colorado, and discussed the merits of the bill.  Detective Stadler responded to questions regarding how best to target resources for combatting human trafficking.  Representative Carver provided input regarding the use of resources under the bill.

Ms. Lisa Brandt, representing the Human Trafficking Task Force, Ms. Karen Brofft, representing Lewis Palmer School District, and Ms. Kelly Zebroski, representing Jefferson County, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Brofft discussed the benefits of HB 18-1115 from a school district's perspective.  Ms. Zebroski discussed her office's work to combat sex trafficking in schools, and the merits of the bill. Ms. Brandt discussed the work of the Human Trafficking Task Force in schools.

Ms. Betty Boyd, representing the American Association of University Women, testified in support of HB 18-1115.  Ms. Boyd discussed the impact of human trafficking in schools, and training available to combat human trafficking.

Representative Carver explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

Representative Carver explained the effect of amendment L.002 (Attachment B).

Various committee members provided their positions on HB 18-1115.  Representatives Carver and Ginal provided closing remarks in support of the bill.