Sen. Fields’ Bipartisan Bill to Update Victim Rights Act & Better Support Crime Victims Clears Committee
Legislation will empower victims and survivors, make it easier to navigate criminal justice system & bring justice to perpetrators
DENVER, CO – Yesterday, the Judiciary Committee approved a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) and Senator Bob Gardner (R-Colorado Springs) aimed at supporting victims and survivors of crime in Colorado.
The bill, SB22-049, updates the Victim Rights Act (VRA) to make it easier for victims to navigate the criminal justice system and bring perpetrators to justice.
“As a crime victim myself, I know how challenging and emotionally draining it can be to navigate the criminal justice system, and I know I’m not alone,” said Sen. Fields. “We’ve heard from folks from all over Colorado about the need to improve our laws to better support and empower crime victims and their families, and that’s what we intend to do with this bill. This bipartisan legislation will not only improve public safety and bring wrongdoers to justice, but help affected families on their path toward healing and recovery.”
The Victim Rights Act is an important section of Colorado code that must periodically be updated to make sure that all Colorado victim’s rights are honored throughout the criminal justice system.
SB22-049 seeks to support and empower crime victims and their families by allowing for virtual participation in court proceedings – allowing victims to be heard without needing to take time off work or arrange childcare or transportation. It also clarifies that when a victim is deceased or incapacitated, more than one family member can represent the interests of the victim.
Additionally, the bill allows victims to opt-in to cold case updates, requires District Attorneys to explain the terms of plea deals and concepts like early release for good behavior to victims, and requires that defendants be present at sentencing for victim impact statements.
This bipartisan legislation was developed hand-in-hand with a variety of stakeholders, including the Attorney General’s office and with input from victims and survivors.
SB22-049 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill here.