Buckner’s Bill to Reduce Family Separation for Incarcerated Parents and their Children Clears Committee

SB23-039 would provide meaningful, in-person family time between an incarcerated parent and their child, signaling Colorado Democrats’ ongoing efforts to make Colorado a better, more equitable place for all

DENVER, CO – Senator Janet Buckner’s, D-Aurora, bill to reduce the separation between incarcerated parents and their children cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday.

SB23-039 would require the Department of Human Services to facilitate communication and family-time between children and their incarcerated parents, and ensure that incarcerated parents can participate in critical court proceedings regarding their parental rights. The bill aims to support safe and meaningful incarcerated parent-child relationships, aid healthy child development, and reduce recidivism and intergenerational incarceration. 

“Families are the building blocks of society, and it’s time we provide opportunities to foster healthy, quality relationships between incarcerated parents and their children,” Buckner said. “This bill will help reduce the trauma of family separation caused by detention and promote strong family relationships for the benefit of children, their parents, and our state.” 

At least seven percent of Colorado children at some time during their childhood have a parent who was or is incarcerated. Parental incarceration disproportionately affects children of color and exacerbates the number of children living in poverty. 

Additionally, research shows that having an incarcerated parent hinders a child’s academic achievement, including a higher risk of dropping out of school. By preserving incarcerated parent-child relationships, the bill intends to better children’s mental health, and enable successful returns to our communities.

SB23-039 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.