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H_JUD_2025A 02/05/2025 01:35:58 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date 02/05/2025
Attendance
Armagost X
Bacon X
Caldwell X
Clifford X
Espenoza X
Garcia X
Keltie X
Soper X
Zokaie X
Carter X
Mabrey X
Time 01:35:58 PM to 06:37:24 PM
Place HCR 0107
This Meeting was called to order by Mabrey
This Report was prepared by Bo Pogue
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB25-1013 Referred to House Appropriations
HB25-1129 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
HB25-1114 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole

HB25-1013 - Referred to House Appropriations
01:36:27 PM  
The committee was
called to order. A quorum was present. Representatives English and Bacon,
prime sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1013, concerning social visitation
rights for a person confined in a correctional facility.  Representative
English explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative
Bacon provided further input on the merits of the legislation. Representative
Bacon responded to questions regarding laws in other states similar to
HB 25-1013, and the position of the Department of Corrections on the bill.
Representative Bacon responded to further questions about the potential
impact of the bill on prison safety and security. Discussion ensued regarding
the bill's potential impact on recidivism.
01:53:16 PM  
Stephanie McGuffie,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. David Maxted,
representing Maxted Law, testified in support of HB 25-1013. Eric Nelson,
representing Together Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Lauren
Smith, representing Soul 2 Soul Sisters, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Maxted responded
to questions regarding the potential for HB 25-1013 to generate litigation.
 Ms. McGuffie responded to questions regarding her Department of Corrections
visitation experiences.
02:10:21 PM  
Ms. Adrienne Sanchez,
representing Colorado Department of Corrections, testified to amend the
bill. Mr. Eddie Caley, representing Colorado Department of Corrections,
was available to answer committee questions. Mr. Dave Lisac, representing
Department of Corrections, was available to answer committee questions.



Ms. Sanchez responded
to questions regarding the ramifications of creating a right to visitation,
and the impact of the bill on security levels in prison.  Ms. Sanchez
responded to further questions regarding potential litigation with the
passage of HB 25-1013, and the fiscal impact of the bill.  Aaron Carpenter,
Legislative Council Staff, provided input on the bill's fiscal impact.
02:37:51 PM  
Darius Taylor, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Tracie Jones, representing
Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill.
Meghan Baker, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support
of the bill. Ms. Sarah Staudt, representing Prison Policy Initiative, testified
in support of the bill.
02:50:33 PM  
Kala Roquemore, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Deborah Richardson, representing
American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, testified in support of the
bill. Jamie Ray, representing Korey Wise Innocence Project, testified in
support of the bill. Natalie Baddour, representing Fully Liberated Youth,
testified in support of the bill. Evonne Carrol, representing themself,
testified in support of the bill.
03:07:26 PM  
Ms. Sophie Shea,
representing Colorado Fiscal Institute, testified in support of the bill.
George Yates, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Sharon Bridgeforth, representing Together Colorado, testified in support
of the bill. Travis Taylor, representing themself, testified in support
of the bill.



Discussion ensued
regarding the importance of family visits to behavior within correctional
facilities.
03:29:49 PM  
Ms. Beth Stone, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Justyna Madenska, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Sara Reasoner, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Stacey Kirk, representing themself,
testified in a neutral position on the bill. Ms. Reasoner responded to
questions regarding a specific visitation timeline in HB 25-1013.
03:47:43 PM  
Sarah Beaudoin, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Crystal Sanchez, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Phillip Roybal, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Juaquin Cano, representing
Fully Liberated Youth, testified in support of the bill. LouAnb Montoya,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Charlotte Weaver,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
04:08:23 PM  
Rachel Chambers,
representing Legislation Inside, testified in support of the bill. Terrina
Flora, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
04:15:28 PM  
No amendments were offered to HB 25-1013. Representatives English and Bacon provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.


04:35:51 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1013 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Bacon
Seconded Carter
Armagost No
Bacon Yes
Caldwell No
Clifford Yes
Espenoza Yes
Garcia Yes
Keltie No
Soper No
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB25-1129 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
04:36:00 PM  
The committee recessed.
04:41:35 PM  
The committee returned
to order. Representatives Rydin and Garcia, prime sponsors, presented House
Bill 25-1129, concerning a peer-to-peer behavioral health services program
for offenders nearing release from a correctional facility. Representative
Rydin explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative
Garcia provided additional input on the merits of the bill.
04:44:32 PM  
Justyna Madenska,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Mr. Ray Merenstein,
representing NAMI Colorado - Natl Alliance on Mental Illness, testified
in support of the bill.
04:50:38 PM  
Representative Garcia
explained the effect of Amendment L.003 (Attachment A).


04:51:43 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment A)
Moved Garcia
Seconded Carter
Armagost
Bacon
Caldwell
Clifford
Espenoza
Garcia
Keltie
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:51:44 PM  
Representative Rydin provided closing remarks in support of HB 25-1129.


04:55:43 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1129, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Garcia
Seconded Carter
Armagost No
Bacon Yes
Caldwell No
Clifford Yes
Espenoza Yes
Garcia Yes
Keltie No
Soper No
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB25-1114 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
04:59:14 PM  
Representative Carter,
prime sponsor, presented House Bill 25-1114, concerning allowing the defense
to review a tangible object in preparation for a criminal trial. Representative
Carter explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative
Carter explained the effect of some forthcoming amendments. Representative
Carter responded to questions regarding how the bill impacts the handling
of evidence by law enforcement, and amendments addressing body-worn cameras.
05:10:46 PM  
Padraic Emerine,
representing Colorado Association Chiefs of Police, testified in opposition
to the bill. Mr. Joel Malecka, representing Colorado Department of Public
Safety, testified in a neutral position on the bill. Sean Reinhart, representing
the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police and the Greeley Police Department,
testified in opposition to HB 25-1114.



Discussion ensued
regarding certain rights applicable to judicial proceedings, and handling
of evidence by certain law enforcement agencies. Mr. Malecka responded
to questions regarding certain space requirements for handling evidence
under the bill, and the effect of the forthcoming amendments. Discussion
followed regarding the use of body-worn cameras in evidence handling, and
certain hazards associated with evidence handling. Discussion turned to
recording requirements under HB 25-1114.
05:49:27 PM  
Jessica Dottar, representing
the Colorado District Attorneys Council, testified on HB 25-1114. James
Karbach, representing Colo. St. Pub. Defender, testified in support of
the bill. Megan Bishop, representing themself, testified in support of
the bill. Ms. Victoria Eidsmo, representing Colorado State Public Defender's
Office, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jennifer Ahnstedt, representing
OSPD, testified in support of the bill.



Discussion ensued
regarding the amendments that have been proposed, and the use of body cameras
in evidence-related proceedings.  Mr. Karbach explained the process
by which the amendments were crafted.  Ms. Dottar and Ms. Ahnstedt
responded to questions regarding the process by which attorneys review
physical evidence.
06:22:13 PM  
Representative Carter
explained the effect of Amendments L.001 and L.002  (Attachment B
and C).


06:24:32 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B)
Moved Carter
Seconded Clifford
Armagost
Bacon
Caldwell
Clifford
Espenoza
Garcia
Keltie
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


06:25:40 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment C)
Moved Carter
Seconded Espenoza
Armagost
Bacon
Caldwell
Clifford
Espenoza
Garcia
Keltie
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
06:25:46 PM  
Representative Carter
provided closing remarks in support of HB 25-1114. Various committee members
provided their positions on the bill.



Written testimony
about the bill is in Attachment D.


06:35:20 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1114, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Carter
Seconded Bacon
Armagost No
Bacon Yes
Caldwell No
Clifford Yes
Espenoza Yes
Garcia Yes
Keltie No
Soper Yes
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 8   NO: 3   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


06:37:24 PM   The committee adjourned.






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