Date: 02/23/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1122

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 09-1122 to the Committee of the WPASS



02:17 PM -- House Bill 09-1122

Senator Morse, bill sponsor, explained the provisions of House Bill 09-1122. He explained that the bill expands the eligibility for sentencing to the youthful offender system (YOS) to allow youths who are 18 and 19 years old , who are sentenced prior to their 21st birthday, to be sentenced to YOS.

02:20 PM -- Jeanne Smith, representing the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Commission, spoke in support of the bill. She discussed the impetus for the bill.


02:23 PM

Senator King asked about recidivism rates for individuals who are sentenced to YOS rather than the Department of Corrections (DOC). Ms. Smith noted that recidivism rates are lower for YOS than DOC.

02:25 PM -- Doug Wilson, representing the Office of the State Public Defender, spoke in support of the bill.


02:29 PM

Senator Hudak asked about where the facilities are and how many individuals are located in the facilities.

02:32 PM -- Steve Hager, representing the Department of Corrections, spoke about the bill. He noted that he is the warden for the YOS facility and provided the committee with information on the YOS program. He stated that the YOS program is a national model.


02:37 PM

Senator King asked several specific questions about the YOS program. Senator Morse described some of the specifics of why he believes that the YOS facility is so successful. Senator Hudak asked about the education programs. Senator King followed up with additional questions about the high school programs.

02:48 PM -- Ted Tow, representing the Colorado District Attorneys Council, spoke in support of the bill. He also discussed the success of the program and the fact that some of it is because the offenders are youths and are receptive to the programs. Mr. Tow described the specifics of sentencing to YOS as opposed to DOC.


02:54 PM

Senator Carroll asked about the effective date of the bill.

02:55 PM -- Don Quick, representing the Colorado District Attorneys Council, spoke in support of the bill. He noted that his office sends youths to the YOS system. He discussed the crimes committed by individuals who are sentenced to YOS.

03:06 PM -- Mr. Hager returned to the table to answer questions about how soon more youths could be added to the system.


03:10 PM

Senator Morse concluded his presentation of the bill.
BILL:HB09-1122
TIME: 03:10:44 PM
MOVED:Morse
MOTION:Refer House Bill 09-1122 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 7-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Hudak
Yes
King K.
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Newell
Yes
Renfroe
Yes
Carroll M.
Yes
Morse
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS