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Minutes for HB2699 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Requiring court services officers to assist with child in need of care cases when directed by a judge.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 17, 2020
Natalie Scott provided an overview of the bill. Ms. (Attachment 5) Scott stood for questions.
Proponent
Honorable Keven M. Smith testified in support of the bill. (Attachment 6) Mr. Smith, appearing as a constituent with data supporting his statements. His testimony spoke to the volume of cases involving a child in need case where Court Service Officers are used and could be used to make a positive difference in moving these cases along within the justice system. He explained there is no way a judge or magistrate can efficiently manage their volume of cases without the help of Court Service Officer, who make sure all parties comply with court of orders between hearings. Mr. Smith stood for questions.
Judy Fowler testified in support of the bill. (Attachment 7) Ms. Fowler testified in support of the bill saying she had decades of experience with the Court Service Officer's used in Sedwick county. She personally relied on their expertise and assistance. She discussed some of the very important tasks and feel their services are indispensable and irreplaceable. She stood for questions.
Grant Brazill testified in support of the bill. (Attachment 8) Mr. Brazill stated the Court Service Officers have been utilized in Sedgwick county since 1970 and they have become an integral and irreplaceable part of the process of juvenile court.
Written
- Ron Paschal, Deputy District Attorney; Mark Jordan, Chief District Attorney, District Attorney’s Office, 18th Judicial District (Attachment 9)
- Megan Monsour, Attorney, Kinkle Law Firm (Attachment 10)
Chairperson Patton directed the membership to review the written testimony provided in their bill folders.
Shawn Jurgensen provided neutral testimony for the bill. (Attachment 11) Mr. Jurgensen explained the Supreme Court commissioned a committee. This committee was a Court Services Officer (CSO) Weighted Workload Study Work Group which began in October 2019. The work-group's threshold conclusion was that they do not have enough CSO's to adequately perform all statutorily mandated tasks. The Supreme Court is utilizing the report to help guide future decisions about CSO positions toward helping all judicial district fulfill statutory CSO functions.
Chairperson Patton closed the hearing.
