s_jud_2017a_2017-02-13t13:33:37z5 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/13/2017

Location: SCR 352

04:22 PM -- SB17-126



Senator Guzman and Senator Gardner, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 17-126, concerning the Colorado Domestic Violence Review Board (board). Senator Guzman explained the provisions of the bill. Senator Gardner explained the need for the bill.



04:26 PM -- Mr. Jose Esquibel, representing the Colorado Attorney General's Office, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the genesis of the bill. He stated that 40 other states have domestic violence review boards, but in Colorado, only the city and county of Denver has such a board. Mr. Esquibel discussed how the board created by the bill would function, and he discussed domestic violence, generally.



04:31 PM -- Mr. George Brauchler, 18th Judicial District Attorney, and representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified in support of the bill. He suggested possible changes to the bill. He responded to questions concerning the membership of the board.



04:39 PM -- Mr. Greg Romberg, representing the Colorado Press Association and the Colorado Broadcasters Association, testified on the bill. He discussed open meetings-related concerns.



04:42 PM -- Ms. Dora Lee Larson, representing the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, testified in support of the bill. She discussed information provided on behalf of the Denver Metro Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee. She responded to questions from the committee concerning prosecutor representation on the board.



04:48 PM -- Ms. Jenn Doe, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She discussed her experience as a victim of domestic violence.



04:53 PM -- Mr. Scott Turner, representing the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA), testified in support of the bill. He read testimony from the COVA board.



04:55 PM -- Mr. Chris Johnson, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



04:56 PM -- Ms. Carrie Thompson, representing the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the benefits of involving criminal defense attorneys with the board's work. She responded to questions concerning the involvement of defense attorneys; discussion continued on this point.



05:08 PM -- Ms. Rita Cotter, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She discussed her work on a similar board in Florida, and review teams, generally. She responded to a question concerning participation by defense attorneys.



05:12 PM -- Ms. Maureen Cain, representing the State Public Defender's Office, testified on the bill. She stated support for including defense attorneys on the board.



05:13 PM -- Ms. Lydia Waligorski, representing the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, testified on the bill.





05:15 PM



Senator Gardner requested that the bill be laid over. Senator Cooke, vice-chair, laid over the bill.





05:16 PM



The committee adjourned.