95D74765827FB051872583B6007F62F9 Hearing Summary

The committee returned to order. Representatives Carver and Singer, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1197, concerning restrictions on making public the personal information of government employees whose official duties involve child abuse and neglect cases.  Representative Singer provided background on the genesis of the bill, and discussed the need for the bill. Representative Carver provided additional input on the bill. Representative Singer responded to questions regarding the scope of the bill. Representative Carver responded to questions regarding the standard of behavior that triggers enforcement of the bill.

The following persons testified regarding HB 19-1197:

Ms. Julie Krow, representing El Paso County, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Krow discussed the rate at which case workers in the county's Department of Human Services have been threatened, and the amplification of the problem due to increased information availability.

Mr. Peter Lichtman, representing El Paso County, testified in support of the bill. Committee members received a fact sheet supporting the bill (Attachment E).

Ms. Cha'vera Jackson, representing El Paso County, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jackson discussed her role as a case worker, and recounted an instance in which she received threats.

Ms. Samantha Harrison, representing El Paso County, testified in support of the bill. She discussed threats she has received as a case worker. Discussion ensued regarding data associated with county social work.

Ms. Mary Berg, representing Jefferson County, testified in support of House Bill 19-1197. Ms. Berg discussed fact patterns in which social workers are threatened. Committee members received a fact sheet supporting the bill (Attachment F).

Ms. Lauren Harvey, representing the City and County of Denver, testified in support of the bill. She discussed some threats received by Denver employees. Discussion returned to the ability to collect data on threats received by case workers.

Representative Carver explained the effect of amendment L.005 (Attachment G).

Representative Carver explained the effect of amendment L.006 (Attachment H).

Representatives Singer and Carver provided closing remarks in support of HB 19-1197.