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Panel advances bill to make violating court-ordered no‑contact on probation or parole a misdemeanor
Summary
The subcommittee voted unanimously to send House Bill 16-24 to full judiciary. Sponsor Representative Barrett said the measure closes a gap that had left law enforcement unable to act when a person released on probation immediately returned to harass a victim.
Representative Barrett presented House Bill 16-24, saying the measure would expand an existing class A misdemeanor for violating a no‑contact order that is issued only as part of a bond restriction so it also applies to no‑contact orders issued as part of a sentence, probation or parole. “This bill seeks to expand that application to also for no contact orders that are issued as part of a sentence, probation or parole,” the sponsor told the committee.
Leader Lambert and other members pressed the sponsor on possible constitutional concerns, including whether charging the new misdemeanor could create double‑jeopardy problems or conflict with probation/parole enforcement. Barrett said the bill is intended to fill a gap that leaves law enforcement and judges with limited immediate remedies when someone released returns to harass a victim, and that constitutional issues are not expected to block application. After brief discussion, the committee voted 9‑0 to send HB16-24 to full judiciary.
