s_jud_2016a_2016-04-13t13:32:55z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/13/2016

01:42 PM -- HB16-1260



Senator Cooke and Senator Johnston, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 16-1260, concerning extending the criminal statute of limitations for sexual assault to twenty years. Senator Cooke explained investigation of sexual assault cases and his reasons for supporting the bill. Senator Johnston discussed provisions of the bill concerning sexual assaults committed against minors. Senator Cooke distributed and explained amendment L.004 (Attachment B).



16SenateJud0413AttachB.pdf



01:46 PM -- Ms. Laurie Rose Kepros, representing the State Public Defender and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Kepros discussed constitutional protections afforded to those accused of crimes, reliability of evidence, and issues raised during the bill sponsors' presentation. She also discussed inaccurate accusations of sexual assaults, wrongful convictions for sexual assaults, and victims' concerns. Ms. Kepros explained other statutory provisions that she believes should be amended by the bill.



01:55 PM -- Gilpin County Sheriff Bruce Hartman, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



01:57 PM -- Mr. Michael Rourke, representing the Weld County District Attorney's Office and the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Rourke discussed an instance of sexual assault investigated by his office.



01:59 PM -- Ms. Raana Simmons, representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Simmons discussed issues surrounding sexual assaults that may delay reporting an assault to law enforcement, and the reasons she opposes limiting the time to report a sexual assault. She read testimony from the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center. Ms. Simmons responded to questions regarding the effect the bill may have on sexual assault trials.



02:06 PM -- Ms. Beth Ferrier, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Ferrier discussed her experience concerning sexual assault, and her reasons for coming forward about a specific incident years later.



02:13 PM -- Ms. Heidi Thomas, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Thomas discussed her experience concerning sexual assault, and her experience after discussing a specific incident publicly. She also discussed reporting sexual assaults, generally.





02:19 PM



Senator Johnston and Senator Cooke provided closing remarks on the bill.

02:22 PM



The committee adjourned.