s_sa_2016a_2016-05-06t11:09:53z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 05/06/2016

11:30 AM -- HB16-1385



Senator Newell presented House Bill 16-1385 to the committee. This bill expands the definitions of "abuse" and "child abuse or neglect" in regards to children's exposure to controlled substances in several provisions of law. Under current law, manufacturing or attempting to manufacture a controlled substance in the presence of a child or where a child resides constitutes child abuse or neglect. Under the bill, the provisions regarding manufacturing of controlled substances are repealed and "child abuse or neglect" is instead defined as substance use or substance exposure that threatens or results in harm to the health or welfare of a child, based on several criteria including:



• behavior indicating impairment of the parent, guardian, or other person who resides in the child's home and who exercises authority over the child or has responsibility for care of the child;

• the knowing, reckless, or negligent exposure to or ingestion by a child of any legal or illegal substance, unless such exposure or ingestion is the result of the child's lawful intake of such substance; or

• creation of a harmful environment to the child, purposefully or negligently, from the manufacture, production, possession, cultivation, or use of a legal or illegal substance.



11:34 AM -- John Faught, representing Together Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



11:40 AM -- Art Way, representing Drug Policy Alliance, testified on the bill.



11:43 AM -- Cindy Sovine-Miller, representing herself, testified against the bill.



11:47 AM -- Jeanna Hoch, representing Canna Mama Clinic, testified in support of the bill.



11:49 AM -- Heather Thompson, representing Elephant Circle, testified on the bill.



11:53 AM -- Shawn Coleman, representing Drug Policy Alliance, testified on the bill.



11:55 AM -- Jason Warf, representing Southern Colorado Cannabis Council, testified against the bill.



11:59 AM -- Wendy Turner, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



12:02 PM -- Teri Robnett, representing Cannabis Patients Alliance, testified in support of the bill.



12:06 PM -- Jade Woodard, representing Illuminate Colorado, testified in support of the bill.





12:08 PM



Senator Newell wrapped up her presentation to the committee.