Date: 04/30/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-284

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 09-284 to the Committee of the WPASS



01:39 PM -- Senate Bill 09-284

Representative Levy, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 09-284 concerning the authority of a law enforcement officer under specified circumstances to prevent a person from communicating with someone other than a peace officer. Current statute allows a member of law enforcement to order phone lines to be cut off in an area if he or she has reason to believe that there is a hostage situation. This bill amends the statute to allow law enforcement to cut off phone lines, Internet access, and to block cellular phone reception if he or she has reason to believe that there is a hostage situation. This authority also applies if a person has barricaded him or herself into a structure without a hostage.

01:41 PM -- David Fisher, Denver Police Department, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Fisher stated that the bill updates current statute with regard to newer technology. He discussed hostage situations and police response to those situations. The bill removes the requirement that hostages be present in order for law enforcement officials to prevent a suspect from communicating with others.

01:42 PM -- Joe Pelle, County Sheriffs of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill. Sheriff Pelle indicated that the sheriffs unanimously support the bill.

01:43 PM -- Amy Miller, Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, spoke in support of the bill. Ms. Miller stated that the bill represents good public policy and it assists law enforcement in preventing violent situations from escalating. She discussed the use of telecommunications technology by perpetrators of domestic violence.

01:46 PM -- Greg Romberg, Sprint, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Romberg discussed concerns from telecommunications providers about language in the original bill. He indicated that the bill has been amended to alleviate those concerns. He responded to questions from the committee about various security protocols.
BILL:SB09-284
TIME: 01:49:22 PM
MOVED:Levy
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 09-284 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0, with 4 excused.
SECONDED:Waller
VOTE
Apuan
Yes
Court
Excused
Gardner B.
Excused
King
Yes
Miklosi
Yes
Pace
Excused
Roberts
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Waller
Yes
McCann
Excused
Levy
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 4 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS