S_JUD_2025A 02/10/2025 01:35:39 PM Committee Summary

Senators Amabile
and Michaelson Jenet, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 25-041,
concerning persons who may be incompetent to stand trial, and, in connection
therewith, permitting certain services for persons who are incompetent
to proceed, collecting residency information about persons who are incompetent
to proceed, and requiring bond setting for persons who may be incompetent
to proceed.



Senator Amabile
presented Amendment L.001 (Attachment A) and discussed the bill in relation
to the amendment.  She provided a brief overview of competency and
the bill's attempt to avert certin individuals deemed incompetent to proceed
out of the criminal justice system and into a care setting.



Committee members
asked how other states handle this population. Discussion followed about
waiting lists.  Further questions were raised about the fiscal note.

Jack Johnson, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. James Karbach, representing Colo. St. Pub. Defender, testified in support of the bill.

Rebecca Wallace, representing Colorado Freedom Fund, testified in support of the bill.

Kate Rawlinson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Committee discussion ensued about housing and bed utilization and cash bond.

Brad Turner, representing Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified to amend the bill.

Samantha Garrett, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified to amend the bill.

Mr. Vincent Atichy, representing Mental Health CO, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Michael Neil, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members asked questions about the amendment.

Mr. Christian Overbey, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Barbara Vassis, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Vanessa Kaufman, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Sylvia Tawse, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Laurie Slaughter, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Jack Johnson, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. James Karbach, representing Colo. St. Pub. Defender, testified in support of the bill.

Samantha Garrett, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members asked the panel questions about the number of NGRI patients in hospitals.

The bill sponsors made closing remarks.

Senator Pelton B,
bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 25-044, concerning criminal penalties
involving a controlled substance that includes certain synthetic opiates.
 He discussed fentanyl, drug dealers, and overdose deaths.  He
explained new penalties under the bill.



Committee members
asked questions about a recent state fentanyl study.

Dr. Josh Barocas, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Lisa Raville, representing Harm Reduction Action Center, testified in opposition to the bill.

Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in opposition to the bill.

Maureen Cain, representing Public defender, testified in opposition to the bill.



Committee members asked questions about brain chemistry and addiction.



Further discussion ensued about possession and levels of culpability.

Further questions were raised about informants.

Chief Paul Pazen, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Marshall Weaver, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Andrea Thomas, representing Voices of Awareness, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Travis Sides, representing District Attorney,13th Judicial District, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members asked questions about legalization, penalties, and accountability.

Kyle Giddings, representing Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jason Vitello, representing Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill.

Geno Shvedov, representing Hazelbrook Community Recovery Center, testified in opposition to the bill.

Andrew West, representing Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, testified in opposition to the bill.

Sheriff Joe Roybal, representing El Paso County Sheriff's Office, testified in support of the bill.

Darcy Kofol, representing District Attorney's Office for the 23rd Judicial District, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Matt Turner, representing Weld County Sheriff's Office, testified in support of the bill.

Deputy Chief Sadar, representing Colorado Children's Alliance, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members asked questions about amounts, weights, and dealers.

Anaya Robinson, representing ACLU of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Rebecca Wallace, representing Colorado Freedom Fund, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ashley Perales, representing Mental Health Coloradotestified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Breeah Kinsella, representing Colorado Providers Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Aidan Ridley, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Chief Current, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police - Durango Police Department, testified in support of the bill.

Julie Wright, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. She referenced a petition to support the bill.

Miki Sedivy, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Adele Armijo, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Commitee discussion folllowed about harsher penalties and keeping dealers incarcerated.

Stephanie Stewart, representing Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in opposition to the bill.

Krystyn Hartman, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Kim Osterman, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Cole Osterman, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

A letter from Kennedy Jankowski was read by Sabrina Jankowski, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Tricia Otto, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

David Osterman, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Sabrina Jankowski, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Chad Otto, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Pelton B, distributed Amendment L.001 (Attachment C), which puts back in a wobble down provision.



Committee members asked about similar legislation from 2022.

Written testimony about the bill is in Attachment D.

 

The bill sponsor
made closing remarks.



Committee members
made closing remarks.