AB3B78E33EE03ED88725822B0075C391 Hearing Summary

Senator Fields, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-058 to the committee. The bill changes the statute of limitations for the failure to report child abuse or neglect.

Committee members received a packet of information [Attachment F] from Senator Fields.

Senator Fields discussed amendment L.004 [Attachment G], explaining that it would make the bill prospective and extend the statute of limitations from 18 months to 5 years.

Committee members discussed the bill with Senator Fields.

Qusair Mohamedbhai, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Stephanie Villafuerte, Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman, testified in support of the bill.

Diana Goldberg, representing Sungate Kids and the Colorado Children's Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Villafuerte, Ms. Goldberg, Mr. Mohamedbhai, and Senator Fields responded to committee member questions.

George Brauchler, 18th Judicial District Attorney, also representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council (CDAC), testified in support of the bill.

Rich Orman, representing CDAC and the 18th Judicial District, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Brauchler, Mr. Orman, and Senator Fields responded to committee member questions.

Michael Dohr, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to committee discussion about the bill and amendment L.004.

Committee discussion with Mr. Orman and Mr. Brauchler continued.

The committee reconvened.

Mr. Kovaleski presented a video of his reporting on the lack of information parents receive when sexual assault occurs in schools. He responded to committee member questions.

Blake Harrison, representing the Denver District Attorney's Office, testified in support of the bill.

Sterling Harris, representing the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Harrison responded to committee member questions.

Mr. Brauchler returned to the table to respond to committee member questions.

Dr. JoAnn Fujioka, representing the Colorado PTA, testified in support of the bill.

Laura Richards, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Annika Spilde, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Fujioka answered questions from the committee.

Senator Fields made comments to the committee.

Darla Stuart, representing the ARC of Colorado and Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Becky Benedict, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Rachel Gonzalez, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Fields wrapped up her presentation of the bill. The chair announced that the bill would be laid over for action only to a later date. Committee members commented on the bill.