1784788CD84CCF36872586A1007086E0 Hearing Summary

Representative Froelich, bill sponsor, introduced HB21-1122. This bill creates the Commission on Improving First Responder Interactions with Persons with Disabilities in the Attorney General's Office to review training for first responders to enhance interactions with people with disabilities.  The Attorney General's Office must provide a staff member to coordinate and support the commission.

Commission membership.  The commission consists of ten members, including eight members appointed by the Attorney General; the vice-chair of the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board or their designee; and a member of the POST Board's curriculum subject matter expert committee, appointed by the vice-chair of the POST Board.  Members are eligible for expense reimbursement.  Commission appointments must be made by July 31, 2021.  The first commission meeting must take place by September 1, 2021, and on a quarterly basis thereafter. 

Study responsibilities and curriculum development.  The commission must perform a detailed study of existing training for peace officers on interactions with persons with disabilities, both in Colorado and in other states, as outlined in the bill.  By January 31, 2022, the commission must recommend a curriculum to the POST Board.

Training.  The training curriculum must be implemented for basic training and the annual in-service training by July 1, 2022, subject to available appropriations.  Once the curriculum is implemented, the commission must examine any implementation challenges and the curriculum's effectiveness, and present any suggestions to the POST Board.

Reports.  The Department of Law must report on the work of the commission at its 2023 SMART Act hearing, provide a curriculum review, and make a recommendation on continuing the commission.  The bill repeals the commission on December 31, 2023.

Curriculum review in other first responder oversight agencies.  Other first responder oversight entities, including the Division of Fire Prevention and Control Advisory Board in the Department of Public Safety and the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division in the Department of Public Health and Environment, must review the commission’s curriculum to determine whether it should be included in the agency's training.

Representative Larson, bill sponsor, gave opening comments on the bill.

Dr. Erika Liljedahl, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Ali Thompson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Mrs. Amy Brunner, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Max Gibbons, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Mike Foley, representing Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Jennifer Levin, representing The Arc of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Valerie Schlecht, representing Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Submitted written testimony can be found in Attachment D.

Committee members asked questions about L.007 (Attachment H). Representative Froelich responded.

Representative Larson and Representative Froelich gave final remarks on the bill.

Committee members made final comments on the bill.