On Friday, June 12, 2020, SB20-217: Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity was passed by the Colorado Legislature:
“The Colorado legislature on Saturday sent Gov. Jared Polis a far-reaching police accountability bill in response to the death last month of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
Polis has vowed to sign it into law.
The pace at which Senate Bill 217 made its way through the lawmaking gears at the Capitol was astonishing. But Democrats were committed to change and Republicans eventually joined their push after the bill was tweaked.
‘Today, members, we will be able to intervene and do something about what’s happening in our communities — all of our communities — and has happened for far too long,’ Rep. Leslie Herod, a Denver Democrat and one of the prime sponsors of the bill, said Friday as the measure cleared the House. Black lives matter.’
Senate Bill 217 affects almost every aspect of policing in Colorado.
Among its provisions are requirements that law enforcement agencies:
- Outfit all officers with body cameras
- Release body camera footage within 45 days of a questionable police encounter
- Ban the use of chokeholds and carotid holds
- Collect racial data on officers’ encounters with the public
- Report to the state when officers unholster their weapons, point their weapons at a citizen and use deadly force”
— Colorado Sun, “Colorado legislature sends far-reaching police accountability bill to Gov. Jared Polis”, 6/13/2020
WATCH BELOW: Statements from the House floor regarding SB20-217.
Thursday, June 11, 2020. Statements about SB20-217 begin at 3:54:23.
State Representative Leslie Herod (HD8-Denver) at 5:23:25
State Representative James Coleman (HD7-Denver) at 5:30:00
Friday, June 12, 2020. Statements about SB20-217 begin at 2:42:44.
Speaker of the House KC Becker: 2:47:06
State Representative Janet P. Buckner (HD40-Arapahoe) from remote location: 2:56:50
State Representatives Monica Duran (HD24-Jefferson) and Adrienne Benavidez (HD32-Adams): 3:36:41
State Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez (HD4-Denver): 4:04:15
State Representative Tony Exum, Sr. (HD17-El Paso): 4:20:10
State Representative Leslie Herod (HD8-Denver): 4:24:28
The families of De’Von Bailey (killed by police in Colorado Springs on August 3, 2019) and Elijah McClain (died as a result of police encounter, chokehold on August 24, 2019 and subsequent heart attack) were present during remarks.
