Date: 05/01/2014

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB14-203

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 14-203 to the Committee on ApproPASS



08:56 PM -- SB14-203

Representatives May and Gardner, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 14-203, concerning the Office of the Respondent Parents' Counsel in cases of alleged child abuse and neglect. Representative Gardner explained the effect of the bill, and discussed its need. Representative May provided input on the bill. Representative May responded to questions regarding the fiscal impact of the bill.


09:02 PM

The following persons testified regarding Senate Bill 14-203:

09:02 PM -- Mr. Jerry Marroney, representing the Judicial Department, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Marroney explained the work that contributed to the creation of the legislation, and discussed its need. Mr. Marroney discussed some complications in providing counsel to indigent parents in child abuse and neglect cases. Mr. Marroney responded to questions regarding how respondent parents' counsel are appointed.

09:06 PM -- Ms. Dorothy Macias, representing the Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of Senate Bill 14-203. Ms. Macias discussed the provision of counsel in dependency and neglect cases for indigent parents, and improvements in the provision of such services over the years. Ms. Macias explained the services that will be provided under the bill. Ms. Macias responded to questions regarding the population to be served under Senate Bill 14-203.

09:11 PM -- Ms. Sarah Ehrlich, representing Denver Human Services, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Ehrlich discussed the improvements that will accrue to the dependency and neglect judicial process under the bill, and noted the pay associated with acting as respondent parents' counsel. She discussed the recommendations of the Respondent Parents' Counsel Work Group.


09:15 PM

No amendments were offered to Senate Bill 14-203.
BILL:SB14-203
TIME: 09:15:15 PM
MOVED:Gardner
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 14-203 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 10-0.
SECONDED:Salazar
VOTE
Buckner
Yes
Court
Yes
Gardner
Yes
Lawrence
Yes
McLachlan
Yes
Murray
Yes
Pettersen
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Waller
Excused
Lee
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS