Date: 04/17/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1379

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 06-1379 to the Committee of the WPASS



02:09 PM -- House Bill 06-1379

Senator Spence, sponsor, presented House Bill 06-1379 concerning a requirement for training to implement witness protection programs. The bill requires district attorneys and law enforcement agencies to provide annual training, education, and risk-assessment programs for district attorneys and victims' advocates employed by or working with law enforcement agencies. Individual law enforcement agencies and victims' advocate groups are also encouraged to develop similar programs. Senator Spence discussed the deaths of Javad Marshall Fields and Vivian Wolfe, who were scheduled to testify in a criminal case.

02:13 PM -- Rhonda Fields, private citizen, spoke in favor of the bill. Ms. Fields discussed the circumstances of her son's murder. She talked about the lack of measures taken by law enforcement to protect witnesses in criminal cases. She stated that the current Colorado witness protection program needs to be improved in the area of training and established procedures. She offered suggestions for ways to improve witness protection in Colorado.

02:20 PM -- Christine Wolfe, private citizen, spoke in favor of the bill. Ms. Wolfe talked about the details of her daughter's murder. She stated her belief that the murder of her daughter was a message to society that testifying against gang members will cost you your life. She believes this bill is a message to gang members that justice can and will be served.

02:24 PM -- Dave Thomas, Colorado District Attorney's Council, spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Thomas provided some background of the genesis of the bill. He considers this bill to be a natural evolution of the Colorado witness protection program. He talked about the training component of the bill. He also represents the Colorado Witness Protection Board, which supports this legislation. Mr. Thomas responded to committee questions about using federal expertise in training state and local law enforcement officials.

02:30 PM -- Peg Ackerman, County Sheriffs of Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill. Ms. Ackerman stated her belief that this bill fills a whole in the current witness protection program in Colorado.


02:32 PM

Senator Spence wrapped up her presentation of the bill.
BILL:HB06-1379
TIME: 02:33:40 PM
MOVED:Grossman
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1379 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Bacon
Yes
Dyer
Excused
Gordon
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Traylor
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Grossman
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS