H_JUD_2020A 02/04/2020 03:39:55 PM Committee Summary

Representative Soper introduced House Bill 20-1148, concerning offenses against deceased human bodies. The bill increases the criminal penalty from a class 2 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony for offenses committed against a deceased human body. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment A).

Debra Schum, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill.  She presented remotely from Colorado Mesa University - Grand Junction (CMU GJ).

Judy Cressler, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She presented her testimony remotely from CMU GJ.

Ann Holland, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She testified remotely from CMU GJ.

Joy Christian, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She presented her testimony remotely from CMU GJ.

Sharon Anable, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She presented her testimony remotely from CMU GJ.

Chrissy Hartman, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She presented her testimony remotely from CMU GJ.

Wanda Sessions, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She presented her testimony remotely from CMU GJ.

Erin Smith, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill.  She presented her testimony remotely from Colorado Mesa University - Montrose (CMU Montrose).

Charlotte Schendel, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She presented her testimony remotely from CMU Montrose.

Rick Neuendorf, representing himself, spoke in favor of the bill. He presented his testimony remotely from CMU Montrose.

Kristine Burggraf, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She presented her testimony remotely from CMU Montrose.

Alena Holloman, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She presented her testimony remotely from CMU Montrose.

Jean Hewlett, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She presented her testimony remotely from CMU Montrose.

Lance Borne, Delta County Coroner, spoke in favor of the bill. He presented his testimony remotely from CMU Montrose.

Kathy Oatis, Colorado Coroners Association, spoke in favor of the bill.

Timothy Lane, Colorado District Attorney Association, made himself available for questions.

Representative Soper responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Lane responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Soper made closing comments on the merits of the bill.

Representative Carver and Representative Roberts introduced House Bill 20-1120, concerning enforcement of sexual exploitation of a child. The bill makes sexual exploitation of a child an extraordinary risk crime, creates a new surcharge on offenders, creates a grant program, and updates related statutory definitions. The sponsors provided a handout to the committee (Attachment B).

Representative Carver responded to questions from the committee.

Brian Hardonin, Larimer County District Attorney's office, spoke in favor of the bill.

Diana Goldberg, Sungate Kids, spoke in favor of the bill.

Amanda Gall, Colorado District Attorneys Council, spoke in favor of the bill.

Detective Patrick Gallagher, El Paso County Sheriff's office, spoke in favor of the bill.

Ms. Gall responded to questions from the committee.

Christian Mohr, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, spoke neutrally about the bill.

Representative Carver distributed two letters in support of the bill and read a letter from Kelly Dore, National Center Trafficking Survivor Coalition, in support of the bill (Attachments C and D).

Representative Carver distributed and discussed amendments L.004, L.005, and L.007 (Attachment E, F, and G).

Representative Carver discussed amendment L.007 (Attachment G).

The sponsors made closing comments.

Committee members made closing comments on the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Representative Larson, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1118. The bill expands the definition of a current class 1 traffic misdemeanor for causing serious bodily injury to a vulnerable road user while careless driving to include causing serious bodily injury to anyone while carelessly driving. A violation results in 12 points issued to the driver license, which results in a license being suspended. In addition, the driver may be subject to a restitution order, required to attend a driver improvement course, or be ordered to perform useful public service for no more than 320 hours.

Fran Lanzer, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Larson responded to committee questions.

Committee members made closing comments.

Representative Soper and Roberts, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 20-1054. Under current law, a defendant may withdraw from a plea agreement if a judge decides not to accept specific conditions of the agreement. The bill allows the prosecution to withdraw from a plea agreement as well as the defendant.

Karen Taylor, Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, testified against the bill.

Jason Middleton, Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, testified against the bill.

Ms. Taylor and Mr. Middleton responded to questions.

Committee questions continued.

Tom Raynes, Colorado District Attorneys Council, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Raynes responded to questions.

Representative Roberts and Soper made closing comments.

Representative Weissman recessed the meeting.

Representative Weissman reconvened the meeting.   Representative Weissman adjourned the meeting.