April 13, 2012 - My bills have for the most part gone through the full legislative process, but here is an update for each:

1) HB 1151: Human Trafficking - This bill creates protections and rights to victims of human trafficking. It has broad support and has been passed by both houses. It is waiting for House approval to an amendment put on in the Senate. It will be signed the Governor soon.

2) HB 1156: Foreclosure Procedures - This bill would have required that entities that are seeking to foreclose on homes prove that they are the proper entity to do so. Currently, lenders can file foreclosure actions based on a certification signed by the entity or its attorneys. I believe that it is time to restore the integrity of the process and require that the entities prove they are the real parties to foreclose. The bill was killed in committee.

3) HB 1271: Juvenile Direct File - This bill will allow prosecutors to file criminal charges against 14 to 15 year olds in juvenile court and request the juvenile court to transfer the case to adult court in the more serious cases. The bill will allow prosecutors to file a case against 16 and 17 year olds in adult court but the juvenile can request that the court hold a hearing to determine the proper court for the case. If the case is in adult court, the juvenile will be sentenced in the adult prison system rather than the juvenile system and the juvenile will have a felony conviction. Currently, the prosecutors' decisions to filea gainst juveniles are not reviewed by a court. I believe that a decision with such significant ramifications should be subject to judicial review. This bill has been passed by the House and the Senate and will arrive on the Governor's desk soon. We are hopeful that he will sign the bill.

4) HB 1067: Campaign Contributions - This bill, which I have run before, is intended to limit the effect money has on these types of elections, which have no campaign finance restrictions. I presented the bill to the House Committee on State, Veterans and Military Affairs, but despite compelling testimony from current school board members and others, the bill was defeated in committee on January 26.

5) HB 1256: Formula For Spousal Maintenance Upon Divorce - As we considered this bill, the Colorado Bar Association family law section requested that we hold off this year and work on the language this summer and fall. I decided that was a reasonable request and hopefully will result in the bar support for the bill. I will bring it again next year. It would establish a formula for the courts to consider when ordering maintenance (alimony) in domestic relations cases.

6) HB 1204: Dialysis Certification Sunset Bill - This bill extends a law that requires dialysis technician certification, ensuring that dialysis procedures are safe and performed by competent, qualified technicians. It passed the House and is on its way to the Senate.

7) SB 55: 9Health Fair Tax Check-Off - This bill puts the 9Health Fair in the queue to be added as a checkoff on the Colorado tax forms. This fair provides a great service to the people all over the state to obtain health tests at affordable rates. The bill has passed and will be signed by the Gov. on Mon. April 16th.

8) Medical Marijuana Fund Reappropriation: There is a medical marijuana fund in the Dept. of Public Health which has resulted due to fees for medical marijuana cards. There is excess money in the fund. This bill will move half of the funds to the Dept. of Revenue for funding of inspectors of medical marijuana dispensaries. The Dept. of Revenue has had to reduce the number of inspectors from this area because of lack of funds. The bill will also provide funding for some youth violence prevention programs.

Please do not hesitate to contact me as the session goes on if you have any concerns or comments on legislative matters.

Beth McCann
Colorado State Representative
House District 8
beth@bethmccann.org
(303) 866-2959