h_jud_2016a_2016-02-23t13:42:09z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/23/2016

01:43 PM -- Presentation by the SOMB Pursuant to §16-11.7-109, C.R.S.



The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Ms. Jeanne Smith, Director for the Division of Criminal Justice within the Department of Public Safety, Ms. Angel Weant, member of the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) and also representing the Division of Probation Services within the Judicial Branch, and Mr. Chris Lobanov-Rostovsky, Program Manager for the Sex Offender Management Unit, presented the SOMB's annual legislative report pursuant to Section 16-11.7-109, C.R.S. Committee members received copies of the executive summary for the annual report (Attachment A). Director Smith first introduced herself and her associates. Ms. Weant briefed the committee on the SOMB and its activities for the previous year, focusing on the activities of the committees within the SOMB. Ms. Weant responded to questions regarding revision of the board's principles, and the guidelines for the Child Contact Committee.



16HouseJud0126AttachA(afternoon).pdf



01:55 PM



Discussion continued regarding the guidelines established by the Child Contact Committee. Ms. Weant responded to questions regarding the work of the Family Engagement Committee. Mr. Lobanov-Rostovsky responded to questions regarding the timeline for this committee to complete its guidelines. Director Smith responded to questions regarding how the families of sex offenders become involved in the processes associated with the SOMB.





02:09 PM



Mr. Lobanov-Rostovsky highlighted some of the SOMB's policy recommendations from the previous year, which appear in the 2016 annual legislative report. Mr. Lobanov-Rostovsky responded to questions regarding the implications of designating an individual as a sexually violent predator. Mr. Lobanov-Rostovsky discussed consideration of the "sexting" issue by the SOMB, and potential changes to the lifetime supervision designation for certain parolees. Mr. Lobanov-Rostovsky responded to questions regarding these potential changes.





02:23 PM



Discussion ensued regarding the "sexting" issue, and who decides when such behavior becomes a sex offense. The following persons testified regarding the SOMB report:



02:28 PM -- Mr. Roger Kincade, representing Advocates for Change and the Coalition for Sexual Offense Restoration, testified regarding the report. Mr. Kincade discussed the use of polygraph testing in association with evaluating parolees convicted of sex offenses.



02:32 PM -- Ms. Susan Walker, representing the Coalition for Sexual Offense Restoration, testified regarding the SOMB report. Ms. Walker addressed the use of polygraph testing. Discussion ensued regarding the reliance on polygraph testing to prevent sex offenders from progressing to a reduced level of supervision, and the authority for mandating the use of the polygraph. Ms. Walker discussed the insularity of the SOMB.