Date: 04/14/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB15-004

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment A). The motion p
Refer Senate Bill 15-004, as amended, to the Commi		PASS
PASS



01:33 PM -- SB15-004

The committee again took up Senate Bill 15-004, concerning trained volunteer court-appointed special advocates (CASAs) for youth brought before a court in a truancy proceeding. Mr. Bob Grant, representing Colorado CASA, addressed a question about allowing parental consent to govern the assignment of CASAs to juvenile truancy cases.

01:36 PM -- Ms. Leah Varnell, representing the First Judicial District, testified in support of SB 15-004. Ms. Varnell explained that many truancy cases are similar to dependency and neglect cases, and discussed the truancy caseload in Jefferson County. Ms. Varnell responded to questions regarding the potential for requiring parental consent for CASAs before one is assigned to truancy cases.

01:40 PM -- Justice Brian Boatwright, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Justice Boatwright discussed what he learned as a judge before truancy cases, and the underlying causes of truancy. Justice Boatwright discussed how the court has changed its approach to truancy, and explained how the bill would assist in truancy proceedings. Justice Boatwright responded to questions regarding the ability of parents to opt their children out of CASA assignment in truancy cases, and the position of most parents on having CASAs assigned to their children. Discussion ensued on the parental consent issue.


01:53 PM

Discussion continued regarding parental input on the assignment of CASAs in juvenile truancy cases. Representative Foote made an analogy between truancy cases and dependency and neglect cases where guardians ad litem are appointed.


01:57 PM

Representatives Primavera and Kagan explained their support for prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment A). Various committee members expressed their positions on the amendment. Discussion ensued regarding the drafting of the amendment.
BILL:SB15-004
TIME: 01:57:26 PM
MOVED:Kagan
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment A). The motion passed on a vote of 7-6.
15HouseJud0414AttachA.pdf15HouseJud0414AttachA.pdf
SECONDED:Court
VOTE
Buckner
Yes
Carver
No
Court
Yes
Dore
No
Foote
Yes
Lawrence
No
Lundeen
No
Pettersen
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Van Winkle
No
Willett
No
Lee
Yes
Kagan
Yes
YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


02:07 PM
BILL:SB15-004
TIME: 02:07:59 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-004, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 9-4.
SECONDED:Salazar
VOTE
Buckner
Yes
Carver
No
Court
Yes
Dore
No
Foote
Yes
Lawrence
No
Lundeen
No
Pettersen
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Van Winkle
Yes
Willett
Yes
Lee
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS