Date: 04/09/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB13-198

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 13-198 to the Committee of the WPASS



01:33 PM -- Senate Bill 13-198

Representative Gardner, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 13-198. The reengrossed bill allows a court to close proceedings to the public when images of sexually exploitative materials or forensic interviews directly related to a child are being presented as evidence and the child or the forensic interviewer is on the witness stand. Limiting public access is at the discretion of the court, based on the best interest of the child weighed against the public interest in an open criminal proceeding.

Representative Gardner explained the problem he is trying to solve by sponsoring the bill and discussed the amendments made in the Senate. He responded to questions from the committee about whether current law already allows judges to make these determinations about closed proceedings. Discussion ensued.

01:45 PM -- Andi Leopoldus, representing the Colorado Children's Alliance, and Diana Goldberg, representing SungateKids and the Colorado Children's Alliance, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Leopoldus discussed the function of children's advocacy centers across the state. She read testimony from Tammi Pitzen, who works with the Children's Advocacy Center for the Pikes Peak Region. Ms. Leopoldus responded to questions from the committee. Ms. Goldberg spoke about the mechanics of trials involving sexually exploitative materials or forensic interviews. She said that the bill will help minimize trauma to children and to their families and she spoke about the discretion provided to judges by the bill. Ms. Goldberg responded to questions from the committee.


01:56 PM

Discussion ensued about the meaning of "the best interest of the child." Members of the committee commented about their positions on the bill.
BILL:SB13-198
TIME: 02:13:51 PM
MOVED:Gardner
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 13-198 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 10-0, with 1 excused.
SECONDED:Salazar
VOTE
Buckner
Yes
Court
Yes
Gardner
Yes
Lawrence
Yes
Levy
Yes
Murray
Excused
Pettersen
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Wright
Yes
Lee
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



02:14 PM

The committee adjourned.