Colorado House Democrats

Abused Kids to get Mental Health Support

Speaker Romanoff: “We must put an end to child abuse in Colorado”

DENVER – Today, under the eadership of House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and State Representative Bernie Buescher (D-Grand Junction), the House passed a bill to provide abused and neglected children the mental health care needed to reduce the likelihood of long term problems associated with abuse.

“We must put an end to child abuse in Colorado,” said Speaker Romanoff.  “This bill takes us one step closer.”

House Bill 1391, which passed 61 to 4 and was sponsored by both Speaker Romanoff and Rep. Buescher, establishes a pilot program in two or three counties to provide mental health screenings, evaluations and services for any child between the ages of four and 10 who has been the subject of a substantiated case of abuse or neglect.  The program will also be available to their siblings as well, and is estimated to serve between 400 and 600 children annually.

Speaker Romanoff began authoring the bill last year after a series of news stories about abuse cases throughout Colorado, which ended in the death of several children, shocked the state.

Research indicates that when abused and neglected children don’t receive adequate mental health treatment, it can significantly hurt their quality of life and future productivity.  Those children are more likely to abuse drugs and commit crimes as youths.  They struggle with school, involve themselves in gangs, and cope with teen pregnancy at a higher rate than their contemporaries. 

“Victims of child abuse are a community responsibility,” said Rep. Buescher.  “The damage imposed on abused children is long term and in turn, can injure the whole society.  Child abuse continues to be way too prevalent.  We are working to stop this cycle now!”

A recent survey of 6,000 youths showed that nearly half the children who come into the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect need mental health services.  Of those cases, 75% do not receive the mental health services they require.   

The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is being carried by State Senators Moe Keller (Wheat Ridge) and Betty Boyd (Lakewood).

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Colorado Legislators Working to Curb Child Abuse

Lawmakers unveil pilot program to provide more mental health services to victims

DENVER – A recent survey of 6,000 youths showed that nearly half the children who come into the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect need mental health services.  Of those cases, 75% do not receive the mental health services they require. 

Recognizing the need for change, House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and State Representative Bernie Buescher (D-Grand Junction) teamed up with State Senators Moe Keller and Betty Boyd (Douglas County), as well as members of the Kempe Children’s Center today to unveil a bill helping more abused and neglected children get the mental health care they need so they don’t become perpetrators themselves.

“In Colorado in 2006, there were 8,700 confirmed cases of abuse or neglect.  And that’s just the number of confirmed cases – the actual number is undoubtedly much higher.  The consequences of child abuse and neglect are catastrophic and sometimes fatal” Speaker Romanoff declared.  “Our goal is to make child abuse a thing of the past. Colorado can lead the way.”

Studies demonstrate that when abused and neglected children don’t receive adequate mental health treatment, it can significantly hurt their quality of life and future productivity.  Those children are more likely to abuse drugs and commit crimes as youths.  They struggle with school, involve themselves in gangs, and cope with teen pregnancy at a higher rate than their contemporaries. 

Boozing and Boating Bad Combo

B.U.I. Bill Aligns with D.U.I. Laws, Heads to Governor

DENVER –Today the House passed Senate Bill 159, which would improve public safety on Colorado's lakes and rivers by cracking down on boating under the influence. The bill is sponsored by Representative Christine Scanlan (D-Dillon).

"Boozing and boating is a bad combo," Scanlan said. "Colorado has always had tough laws on drinking and driving; why would the laws be any different for boozing and boating?"

Specifically, the bill stipulates that boaters with a .08 blood alcohol or over would be charged with boating under the influence, or B.U.I.  Current law has the threshold at 0.10.

The new law would align the B.U.I. levels with current laws for driving under the influence, or D.U.I.  The bill also expands boating under the influence to include all vessels, not just motorboats or sailboats.

The penalty for operating a motorboat or sailboat under the influence could include a maximum of five days in jail and up to one year in county jail. Additionally, lawbreakers could face fines between $200 to $1,000 as well as community service.

“Coloradans should be able to enjoy a weekend boating without having to worry about their family’s safety,” Rep. Scanlan stated. Thirty percent of all boating-related fatalities are alcohol-related.

In 2007, there were 27 reported cases of boating under the influence. Currently, 36 other states have similar regulations for boating.

The bill passed on third reading today with a vote of 62 to 2.  The bill is sponsored by Senators Dan Gibbs (D-Silverthorne) and Ron Tupa (D-Boulder) in the Senate.

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Gov. Ritter Signs Restorative-Justice Bill into Law

Photo, from right to left: Sen. Morse, Rep. Merrifield, Gov. Ritter, and advocate

Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law House Bill 08-1117, which is designed to help keep youthful offenders from turning into hardened adult criminals by allowing them to participate in restorative justice programs in certain circumstances.

The legislation was co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield and Sen. John Morse. It allows – when appropriate – for juvenile offenders to meet with their victim and court officials to agree to some type of service work that would repair, repay or restore the harm they have caused.

“By making juvenile offenders take responsibility for the consequences of their actions, we can teach them that the decisions they make, both good and bad, will affect the course of their life,” Gov. Ritter said. “Repairing the harm that someone has caused can be the thing that matters most in the criminal-justice system. As a former prosecutor, I’ve seen too many people start out committing minor crimes as juveniles and escalate to committing serious crimes as adults. We must do everything we can to intervene early and break this cycle.”

“As a public school teacher for over 30 years, I’ve been committed to making a positive difference in the lives of young people,” Rep. Merrifield said. “The restorative-justice process is a great opportunity to not only cut recidivism but to also give kids another chance, a second chance, to turn their lives around. It also gives victims a chance to have closure. It’s another tool in the criminal-justice tool box.”

HB 1117 passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support – 63-1 in the House and 33-0 in the Senate. It was supported by the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council and the Colorado Department of Public Safety.

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Rep. Benefield Ensures Funding For Youth Programs Reaches Youth

Program reduces drop outs and crime

DENVER –Representative Debbie Benefield (D-Westminster) is sponsoring a bill to help youth stay in school and out of trouble.  The long standing and successful program, Tony Grampsas Youth Services (TGYS), funds a wide variety of community initiatives that have decreased rates of abuse and crime and kept kids in school.

The bill, House Bill 08-1122, passed on an initial voice vote today in the House.

Earmarks in the current law divert time and energy from the program goals by increasing administrative burdens.  Removing the barriers allows the program to thrive while reaching more youth. HB-1122 helps to ensure that time and attention are devoted to preventing youth violence and promoting learning.

“It is important that every dollar going to the program actually reaches the youth programs in need.  Every dollar we invest in the program helps decrease school drop out rates and prevent crime by supporting youth mentoring and after school programs,” Rep. Benefield said.  “If kids are staying in school, they won’t be committing crimes.”

The bill is supported by: Colorado Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Colorado Parent and Child Foundation and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

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House Helps Halt Sexually Violent Predators

DENVER—On Monday, the House voted to help make sure sex offenders are appropriately assessed so they do not commit further violent crimes once they are released from prison.  House Bill 1247, sponsored by State Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield), would require that the court handing down a violent sexual offender’s sentence also determine whether that offender is a sexually violent predator.

“This bill ensures that sexually violent predators are assessed at the right place at the right time by someone with the right skill level,” said Rep. Primavera.  “It will help guarantee offenders get the proper treatment so they don’t fall through the cracks and offend again once they are released.” 

The bill would direct a sentencing court to administer a sexually violent predator assessment so offenders receives appropriate treatment and are less likely to reoffend once they are released.  As it stands, if a sentencing court fails to administer a determination, the obligation falls to the offender’s parole board.  This creates additional work for parole boards and  increases the likelihood that offenders will be incorrectly assessed.

The bill passed with an initial voice vote and awaits final approval by the House before moving to the Senate for further consideration.

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Rep. Primavera Helps Stop Sexually Violent Predators From Reoffending

DENVER—Today the House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to help make sure sex offenders are appropriately assessed so they do not commit further violent crimes once they are released from prison.  House Bill 1247, sponsored by State Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield), would require that the court handing down a violent sexual offender’s sentence also determine whether that offender is a sexually violent predator.

“This bill ensures that sexually violent predators are assessed at the right time under the right circumstances,” said Rep. Primavera.  “It will help guarantee offenders don’t fall through the cracks and that they get the proper treatment so they don’t offend again.” 

The bill would direct a sentencing court to administer a sexually violent predator assessment to assure the offender receives appropriate treatment so they are less likely to reoffend once they are released.  As it stands, if a sentencing court fails to administer a determination, the obligation falls to the offender’s parole board.  This creates additional work for parole boards and  increasing the likelihood that offenders will be incorrectly assessed.

The bill now moves to the House floor for further debate.

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Rep. Andy Kerr Streamlines State Fund to Make Delivery Of Victims' Services More Efficient

Bill helps crime victims get support they need

DENVER–State Representative Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood) advanced a proposal to help crime victims across the state receive vital services more efficiently. House Bill 1112, reforming how funds are delivered through the state Victim’s Assistance & Law Enforcement Fund (State VALE), passed the House today on a bi-partisan vote of 61 to 1. 

“State VALE has been an essential source of victims’ services funding for nearly 25 years,” said Rep. Kerr upon passage of the bill. “These changes will maintain the program’s health for the next 25 years.”

The proposed legislation ensures victims’ assistance programs that impact the whole state receive adequate funding – the original intent of the program when it was created 24 years ago.  The bill also guarantees programs that help victims of violent crimes, like the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA), and the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV), are always funded equitably, even in times of economic hardship.

The bill excuses various statewide agencies – including the Department of Public Safety, Department of Corrections, and State Court Administrator – from competing in the competitive State VALE grant process to receive moneys for the next fiscal year.  Finally, the bill grants the State VALE board more authority to recommend and award additional funding to state agencies based on a host of reasons, including employee performance and the amount of revenue generated for the fund.

The bill now moves to the Senate for further debate.

-- Posted by staff

Rep. Benefield Ensures Funding for Youth Programs Reaches Youth

Program reduces drop outs and crime with less restrictions

DENVER –Representative Debbie Benefield (D-Westminster) is sponsoring a bill to help youth stay in school and out of trouble.  The long standing and successful program, Tony Grampsas Youth Services (TGYS), funds a wide variety of community initiatives that have decreased rates of abuse and crime and kept kids in school.

The bill, House Bill 08-1122, passed unanimously out of the House Health and Human Services committee today with no opposition. It will be voted on by House members in the near future.

Earmarks in the current law divert time and energy from the program goals by increasing administrative burdens.  Removing the barriers allows the program to thrive while reaching more youth. HB-1122 helps to ensure that time and attention are devoted to preventing youth violence and promoting learning.

“It is important that every dollar going to the program actually reaches the youth programs in need.  Every dollar we invest in the Tony Grampsas program helps decrease school drop out rates and prevent crime by supporting youth mentoring and after school programs,” Rep. Benefield testified. “If kids are staying in school, they won’t be committing crimes.”

The bill is supported by: Colorado Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Colorado Parent and Child Foundation and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

-- Posted by staff