88EE3C7B70D861EF872588300071D49B Hearing Summary

Representatives Amabile and Soper, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 22-1386, concerning measures relatd to competency to proceed. Representative Amabile explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Soper provided additional input on the merits of the legislation.

Jagruti Shaw, representing the Department of Human Services, testified in support of HB 22-1386.

Kristin Melton, representing the Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Daniel Murrie, Special Master appointed by a federal court to oversee competency services in Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Megan Baker, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding whether HB 22-1386 will bring the state into compliance with a consent degree concerning competency evaluation and restoration, and the amount of money to be spent on restoration compared to the number of people who will have their competency restored. Discussion followed regarding the beds needed to create a fully functioning competency evaluation and restoration system.

Timothy Lane, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, and James Karbach, representing the Office of State Public Defender, made themselves available to answer questions on HB 22-1386. Mr. Lane and Mr. Karbach responded to questions regarding the effect of some forthcoming amendments.

Sylvia Tawse, representing herself, testified in support of HB 22-1386.

Representative Amabile explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment C), and amendment L.004 (Attachment D), an amendment to L.001. Representative Soper responded to questions raised during earlier testimony.

Representatives Soper and Amabile discussed the merits of amendment L.002 (Attachment E).

Representatives Soper and Amabile provided closing remarks in support of HB 22-1386. Representatives Carver and Weissman commented on the merits of the bill.