s_sa_2017a_2017-02-15t13:39:35z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/15/2017

Location: SCR 357

01:39 PM -- SB17-128



Senator Fields, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-128 to the committee. This bill requires the governing board of each public or private institution of higher education that participates in the College Opportunity Fund to adopt a policy on sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and hate crimes on or before August 1, 2018. Policies must define prohibited behaviors and outline the protocols for reporting and responding to reports. Protocols must include the rights of victims, those who report such activity, and those accused, as well as sanctions for violations. For students found responsible for one of these crimes, the institution must note on his or her transcript that the student was suspended or expelled after violating the policy. Policies must create a process for requesting removal of a notation and an appeal if the request is denied. Each institution of higher education must make the policies available to students and faculty in student and personnel handbooks and on a dedicated webpage on the institution's website. Beginning on or before August 1, 2020, institutions must review these policies every two years and revise them, as necessary.



Senator Fields addressed amendment L.003 (Attachment A).



17SenateState0215AttachA.pdf



01:44 PM -- Kirsten Schuchman and Erica Weston, representing the University of Colorado System, testified against the bill. Committee members discussed the bill with Senator Fields and Ms. Schuchman.



01:52 PM -- Steve Siegel, representing the Colorado Organization for Victims Assistance (COVA), testified in support of the bill.



01:54 PM -- Allison Boyd, representing COVA, testified in support of the bill. Committee members discussed the bill with Ms. Boyd and Senator Fields.



01:58 PM -- Suzanne Hultin, representing the National Conference of State Legislatures, testified on the bill. Committee members received two handouts from Ms. Hultin (Attachments B and C).



17SenateState0215AttachB.pdf 17SenateState0215AttachC.pdf



02:05 PM -- Ken Fowler, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:09 PM -- Vanessa Quintana, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:12 PM -- Hannah Renea Bumgarner, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:13 PM -- Aren Rodriguez, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



02:16 PM -- Heidi Thomas, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She provided two handouts to the committee (Attachments D and E).



17SenateState0215AttachD.pdf 17SenateState0215AttachE.pdf



02:19 PM -- Beth Ferrier, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:22 PM -- Ken Toltz, representing Safe Campus Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He provided two handouts to the committee (Attachments F and G).



17SenateState0215AttachF.pdf 17SenateState0215AttachG.pdf



02:26 PM -- Lindie Woosley, representing the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center, testified in support of the bill.

02:30 PM



Senator Fields wrapped up her presentation of the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.