S_JUD_2022A 04/07/2022 01:35:50 PM Committee Summary

Senators Smallwood and Fields, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 22-1288, concerning increasing access to assistance for victims by providing immunity from prosecution for the offense of prostitution in specific circumstances.   They discussed immunity and safety and other merits of the bill. 

Melissa Broudo, representing Sharmus Outlaw Advocacy and Rights Institute (SOAR Institute), testified to amend the bill. She raised concerns that the bill is too narrow in scope.

District Attorney Alexis King, representing self, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed holding offenders accountable. 

Committee members asked questions about the number of cases this bill would impact. 

 

 

Jennifer Sisk, representing 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office (Adams and Broomfield Counties), testified in support of the bill. She discussed increased reporting.

Mr. Michael Dougherty, representing self, testified in support of the bill. He discussed public safety and protecting victims. 

The witnesses responded to questions about concerns the previous witness raised.  Committee members asked further questions about fact patterns and immunity. 

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Elizabeth Newman, representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, testified in support of the bill. 

Catherine Lees, representing Parasol Patrol, testified in support of the bill.

Tiara Kelley, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Saskia Davies, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Pasha Doe, representing self, testified in support of the bill.  She distributed a handout (Attachment A). 

Assistant District Attorney Amanda Gall, representing First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King, testified in support of the bill.

She answered questions from the committee about evidence.  immunity for three petty offenses. offered in connection. she discussed evidence. if committing another crime, evidence can still be used against them.

Becca Cleary, representing self, testified to amend the bill. She raised concerns about evidence collection. 

Committee members asked questions about evidence and deterrence. 

Ms. Gall returned to the table to answer questions about Good Samaritan laws and related drug overdose laws. 

 

 

 

The bill sponsors made closing remarks. 

Senators Fields and Coram, co-prime sponsors, explained Senate Bill 22-188, concerning behavioral health support for advocates in the criminal justice system.  The bill sponsors discussed mental health parity and prosectors and public defenders. The bill sponsors stated that amendments will be forthcoming about the funding mechanism for this behavioral health support. 

 

 

District Attorney John Kellner, representing 18th Judicial District, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the need for behavioral health support and supported an amendment about the funding source. 

Mr. James Karbach, representing Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill. He discussed peer support, employee retention, and funding sources.

Committee members asked question about peer support programs and training.  Further discussion ensued about funding for behavioral health services and other logistical issues about administering the funds.  Additional questions were raised about participants in related programs. 

 

 

DA Beth McCann, representing self, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the Denver District Attorney's Office peer support program. 

Brian Mason, representing the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Michael Dougherty, representing self, testified in support of the bill.  He distributed a handout about office behavioral health (Attachment B). 

Committee discussion followed about funding distributions.

Lauren Snyder, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She discussed secondary trauma. 

Jeff Riester, representing Department of Law, testified in support of the bill. He discussed workforce retention. 

Gloria Cannady, representing self, testified about the bill.

Senator Fields distributed and explained Amendment L. 002 about funding (Attachment C). 

She next distributed and explained Amendment L. 004 about grant funding distribution (Attachment D). 

 

Senator Fields distrubuted and explained Amendment L.005 about the Office of the State Public Defender and funding distribution (Attachment E)

The bill sponsors made closing remarks. 

Senators Gardner and Winter, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-183, concerning programs that provide services to crime victims. The bill sponsors explained the demand and increased need for victim services.  They also went over the proposed funding distributions, as outlined in the bill. 

Committee members asked questions about the decrease in federal funds. 

 

Ms. Gloria Cannady, representing World Outreach Prayer Warriors, testified to amend the bill.

Jason Vitello, representing self, testified to amend the bill. He recommended an amendment to address black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).  

Terri House, representing Department of Public Health for Public Safety, testified to amend the bill.

Deputy Director Juston Cooper, representing Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified to amend the bill. He distributed a report from his organization about victim services and underserved communities.  The report can be read in its entirety here:  https://www.ccjrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/CCJRC_Victim_Services_Report_2021.pdf.

Assistant District Attorney Amanda Gall, representing First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King, testified to amend the bill.

Discussion followed about decreased federal funds and shortfalls.  

 

Mrs Sylvia Ramos, representing Servicios de La Raza, testified in opposition to the bill. She discussed bilingual services.

Brie Franklin, representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, testified in support of the bill. She discussed funding shortfalls.

Kelly Kissell, representing Colorado Department of Public Safety - Division of Criminal Justice, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed federal Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funds. 

The witnesses answered questions about victim services for underserved and minority communities. 

 

 

Ms. Beth Collins, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, Domestic Violence Program, testified in support of the bill.

Jenny Stith, representing WINGS Foundation Inc., testified in support of the bill.

Jennifer Eyl, representing Project Safeguard, testified in support of the bill.

Roshan Kalantar, representing Violence Free Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Amelia Lobo, representing Violence Free Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Nancy Lewis, representing Cova, testified in support of the bill.

Mari Dennis, representing Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Amanda Terrell-Orr, representing City of Colorado Springs, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Winter distributed and explained Amendment L.001 to update certain definitions (Attachment F). 

Committee members asked questions about the amendment. 

 

Senator Winter distribute and explained Amendment L.002 about allowable funding uses (Attachment G). 

The bill sponsors made closing statements.