Date: 02/17/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1019

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment D). The motion p
Refer House Bill 15-1019, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS



04:45 PM -- HB15-1019

Representative Lundeen, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1019, concerning prostitution by a minor, and, in connection therewith, minors who are victims of human trafficking. Representative Lundeen provided background on the issue of human trafficking, and explained the benefits of providing immunity for minors from criminal prosecution from prostitution. Representative Lundeen explained the effect of the bill, as amended by prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment D), a strike-below amendment. Representative Lundeen responded to questions regarding the difference between providing an affirmative defense against a prostitution charge and providing immunity from the charge, as outlined by the amendment.

15HouseJud0217AttachD.pdf15HouseJud0217AttachD.pdf

04:53 PM

The following persons testified regarding HB 15-1019:

04:53 PM -- Ms. Janet Drake, representing the Department of Law, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Drake discussed her work in the area of human trafficking, as well as the work of the Human Trafficking Council. She explained how the strike-below amendment will allow the council to continue its work on the issue. Ms. Drake responded to questions regarding certain potential drawbacks to creating a blanket immunity for children who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

05:00 PM -- Mr. Tom Raynes, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, and Ms. Maureen Cain, representing the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of amendment L.002. Ms. Cain discussed the deliberations of the Human Trafficking Council. Mr. Raynes addressed earlier questions about concerns with blanket immunity. Discussion ensued regarding the charge of the council under the bill, and the separation of criminal activity from victimization under the immunity claim.

05:08 PM -- Ms. Kim Dvorchak, representing the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Dvorchak discussed inconsistencies in current law with respect to charging minors with prostitution.

05:10 PM -- Ms. Kimberly Love, representing the League of Women Voters, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Love discussed the need to concentrate on human trafficking and its victims, and noted that child prostitutes are classified as victims by the federal government. Ms. Love explained how victims of human trafficking are used to victimize others, and noted disparities in public perception between child prostitution victims and those who solicit the victims.


05:15 PM

Representative Lundeen explained the effect of prepared amendment L.002. Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the amendment.
BILL:HB15-1019
TIME: 05:16:34 PM
MOVED:Lundeen
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Court
VOTE
Buckner
Carver
Court
Dore
Foote
Lawrence
Lundeen
Pettersen
Salazar
Van Winkle
Willett
Lee
Kagan
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


05:20 PM

Representative Lundeen provided closing remarks in support of HB 15-1019.
BILL:HB15-1019
TIME: 05:21:13 PM
MOVED:Lundeen
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1019, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 13-0.
SECONDED:Van Winkle
VOTE
Buckner
Yes
Carver
Yes
Court
Yes
Dore
Yes
Foote
Yes
Lawrence
Yes
Lundeen
Yes
Pettersen
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Van Winkle
Yes
Willett
Yes
Lee
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



05:22 PM

The committee adjourned.