03/12/2024 03:00 PM House STATE AFFAIRS

             SB 103-PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:03:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SHAW  announced that the  first order of business  would be                                                               
SENATE BILL NO. 103, "An  Act relating to peer support counseling                                                               
programs   for  law   enforcement  agencies,   emergency  service                                                               
providers,  and  the  Department  of Corrections."  [SB  103  was                                                               
amended by the committee on 3/7/24.]                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:04:24 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took a brief at-ease.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:04:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER referred  to SB 103 as  amended, page 2,                                                               
lines 14-16  and asked whether  information collected  during the                                                               
peer-support counseling  program would be something  that a grand                                                               
jury could subpoena.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:06:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KACI  SCHROEDER,  Assistant  Attorney  General,  Central  Office,                                                               
Criminal Division, Department of  Law, clarified that information                                                               
collected during  the peer support  counseling program  would not                                                               
be admissible  at a grand  jury trial.   Only if  the information                                                               
falls under one of the exceptions could it apply.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:07:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON asked  about mandatory reporting within                                                               
the process of peer counseling.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:07:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  SCHROEDER  answered  that  a  mandatory  reporter  would  be                                                               
required  to report  in  the case  of  several exceptions  listed                                                               
within the  bill.  She  referred to several  exceptions including                                                               
"information   that  is   required  by   law  to   be  reported",                                                               
"information  relating to  the  abuse of  a  child or  vulnerable                                                               
adult",  and if  there is  "any admission  of criminal  conduct".                                                               
She said  there are no concerns  from the Department of  Law with                                                               
respect to mandatory reporting requirements.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:08:22 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SHAW thanked Ms. Schroeder.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT  moved to report  SB 103 as amended  out of                                                               
committee  with individual  recommendations and  the accompanying                                                               
fiscal notes.   There being  no objection, HCS CSSB  103(STA) was                                                               
reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.