Date: 04/02/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1288

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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01:39 PM -- HB15-1288

Representative Williams presented and summarized House Bill 15-1288, concerning updates to the statutory prohibition on profiling.

The committee members watched a video.

Representative Williams discussed racial profiling in law enforcement and arrest rates. She said that it is important to have proper data collecting in order to fully understand this issue.


01:50 PM

Representative Williams continued to discuss racial profiling in law enforcement. She distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A).

15HouseJud0402AttachA.pdf15HouseJud0402AttachA.pdf

Representative Williams answered questions from the committee regarding rural issues related to racial profiling. She also answered questions regarding the information in the handout.


02:02 PM

Representative Salazar spoke on the disproportionate arrest and convictions of black individuals as a result of the initial contact with law enforcement.

The committee members discussed the rates of arrests as presented in the handout.

The committee members watched a video.

02:11 PM -- Ms. Lisa Calderon, representing the Colorado Latino Forum, spoke in favor of the bill. She provided a story about the experiences of her son dealing with racial profiling. Ms. Calderon said that it is important to collect data in order to understand the issue.

Ms. Calderon answered questions regarding the experiences of her son with racial profiling.

02:17 PM -- Ms. Dawn Riley Duval, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed the impacts of racial profiling on individuals.

02:21 PM -- Mr. Michael Ramirez, representing himself, Servicios de La Raza, and the Colorado Latino Forum, spoke in favor of the bill. Discussed racial profiling experienced by the youth with whom he works. Mr. Ramirez answered questions from the committee regarding how HB 15-1288 might help build community trust in law enforcement.

02:25 PM -- Ms. Valerie Schlecht, representing the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed the profiling of people with mental health disabilities.

02:26 PM -- Ms. Jenny Santos, representing herself and Servicios de La Raza, spoke in favor of the bill. She shared the experience of her father, and of others, with racial profiling. Ms. Santos responded to questions from the committee regarding the necessity of the bill.

02:32 PM -- Mr. Josef Lopez, representing himself and Servicios de La Raza, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed his experience working with youth of color. Mr. Lopez spoke on the experiences of his son and friend who were profiled due to their racial backgrounds.

02:35 PM -- Reverend Reginald Holmes, representing Metro Denver Ministry Alliance, spoke in favor of the bill. He said that this bill will also protect law enforcement personnel. Reverend Holmes shared his concerns that the issues related to racial profiling are growing. He answered questions from the committee regarding the need for the bill. Reverend Holmes also answered questions from the committee regarding atypical issues regarding racial profiling and the need for an atypical response.


02:44 PM

Reverend Holmes answered questions from the committee regarding his experience with racial issues. He shared stories on his personal experiences with racism.

02:48 PM -- Mr. Quincy Shannon, representing the Denver Freedom Riders, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed his personal experiences with racial profiling. Mr. Shannon answered questions from the committee regarding the officers who confronted him during his experience. He also answered a question regarding the need for a bill on the issue of racial profiling.

02:57 PM -- Ms. Leslie Herod, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed the impacts of racial profiling on communities and individuals. Ms. Herod spoke about her experience as a community organizer.

Ms. Herod answered questions about profiling experiences in the female and LGBT communities.

03:02 PM -- Reverend Eugene Downing, representing New Hope Baptist Church, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed the the importance of mutual respect and trust between police officers and racial communities. Reverend Downing answered questions from the committee about potential opposition to the bill by law enforcement. He also answered questions from the committee regarding people of color serving in law enforcement.

Reverend Holmes continued to answer questions from the committee. He discussed the need for mutual trust between communities and law enforcement.

03:12 PM -- Brother Jeff Fard, representing Brother Jeff's Cultural Center, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed the growth in communities and racial issues in Colorado. Mr. Fard expressed his opinion that this is not just an urban issue, but an issue in all Colorado counties. He discussed the impact of racial profiling on communities and individuals.

03:16 PM -- Mr. Steve Chavez, representing the Colorado Latino Forum, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed his experience with police misconduct and racial profiling, as discussed in community meetings. Mr. Chavez also discussed effective law enforcement participation.

Mr. Chavez answered questions from the committee regarding the collection of information related to racial profiling. He also answered questions regarding the need to address racial profiling in law enforcement.

03:23 PM -- Ms. Michele Wheeler, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed her experience working in the area of community development and the issues related to treatment by law enforcement. Ms. Wheeler shared the stories of her family members regarding their experiences with racial profiling.

Ms. Wheeler answered questions from the committee regarding her experience working with communities on the issue of racial profiling.

03:31 PM -- Jeanette Vizguerra, representing herself and translated by Mr. Victor Galvan, spoke in favor of the bill. She shared a personal story of racial profiling in Arapahoe County and her risk of deportation.

Ms. Vizguerra answered questions from the committee regarding her arrest.

03:40 PM -- Ms. Julie Gonzales, representing the Colorado Latino Forum, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed the issues of discrimination in communities throughout Colorado. Ms. Gonzales discussed her experience working with individuals who have faced racial profiling. She answered questions from previous testimony regarding the need to address racial profiling and the potential concerns of law enforcement.

Ms. Gonzales answered questions from the committee regarding the history of racism and current concerns in communities. She also answered questions regarding the changes in society regarding racial profiling and the issues that still need to be addressed.

Representative Williams spoke on the history of racism and the common issues related to racial profiling.

03:52 PM -- Ms. Bianca Pullen, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She shared her experience in medicine and the effects of racial profiling on access to healthcare and medical services.

03:56 PM -- Ms. Elisabeth Epps, representing herself, spoke in favor the bill. She discussed comments made during previous discussion regarding violence. Ms. Epps discussed the impact of racial profiling on individuals and communities.

The committee members discussed previous comments made regarding violence.

04:08 PM -- Pastor Terrance Hughes, representing the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed his experiences as a veteran and his personal issues with racial profiling. Reverend Hughes spoke on the experiences on his son with racial profiling and the emotional impacts.

Pastor Hughes answered questions from the committee regarding racial profiling in non-urban areas of Colorado.

04:13 PM -- Mr. Art Way, representing the Drug Policy Alliance, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed his personal experiences with racial profiling.

Mr. Way answered questions from the committee regarding the scope of the bill. He expressed his opinion that he thinks that resolving the initial encounter with law enforcement will help issues related to racism.


04:19 PM

The committee recessed.


04:22 PM

The committee returned from recess. Chairman Kagan laid over HB 15-1288 until later in the day.