House Committee on Judiciary (04/22/2014)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Date:	04/22/2014	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:37 PM to 02:14 PM	Buckner	X
		Court	X
Place:	HCR 0112	Gardner	X
		Lawrence	X
This Meeting was called to order by		McLachlan	X
	Representative Kagan	Murray	X
		Pettersen	*
This Report was prepared by		Salazar	X
	Bo Pogue	Waller	X
		Lee	X
		Kagan	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
SB14-064		Referred to Appropriations

01:37 PM -- SB14-064

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Salazar, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 14-064, concerning the use of long-term, isolated confinement for inmates with serious mental illness. Representative Salazar provided background on the issue of administrative segregation, and explained the effect of the bill. The following person testified regarding Senate Bill 14-064:

01:41 PM -- Ms. Denise Maes, representing the American Civil Liberties Union, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Maes discussed the environment and routine associated with administrative segregation, and cited studies about the effect of administrative segregation on those who are subjected to the practice. Ms. Maes discussed recent trends in the use of administrative segregation in Colorado, and the disposition of those who have been moved out of solitary confinement. She addressed the argument that solitary confinement may constitute cruel and unusual punishment, and discussed certain terms that are not defined by the bill. Ms. Maes discussed services that would be made available to offenders with serious mental illness by the bill. Ms. Maes responded to questions regarding the lack of definitions in the bill for certain terms. Discussion ensued regarding the various parties that will be involved in oversight of the functions of Senate Bill 14-064.

01:53 PM -- Ms. Kellie Wasko, representing the Department of Corrections, testified in support of Senate Bill 14-064. Ms. Wasko discussed the parties involved in crafting the legislation, and the programs that will be augmented under the bill to allow certain offenders to avoid administrative segregation. Ms. Wasko discussed the transition of offenders with serious mental illness out of administrative segregation by the department. Ms.Wasko responded to questions regarding plans on the part of the Department of Corrections to ensure that offenders are not transitioned from administrative segregation in to programs with similar environments to administrative segregation. Ms. Wasko responded to further questions regarding the time frame for transitioning certain offenders out of administrative segregation, and the reactions of some offenders to being transitioned out of solitary confinement. Ms. Wasko responded to questions regarding the environmental setting of the residential treatment programs into which certain offenders are being transitioned.

02:04 PM

Discussion ensued regarding the use of correctional infrastructure to accommodate persons with mental illness, and the need to address certain mental illness issues in the prison system.

02:09 PM

No amendments were offered to Senate Bill 14-064. Representative Gardner discussed his position on the bill.


BILL:	SB14-064
TIME:	02:10:05 PM
MOVED:	Salazar
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 14-064 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:	Court
		VOTE
	Buckner	Yes
	Court	Yes
	Gardner	Yes
	Lawrence	Yes
	McLachlan	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Pettersen	Yes
	Salazar	Yes
	Waller	Yes
	Lee	Yes
	Kagan	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:13 PM

The committee discussed the potential for holding a committee luncheon.

02:14 PM

The committee adjourned.