Senate Approves Bill to Improve Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

DENVER, CO – Legislation to improve protections for victims of domestic violence and child abuse engaged in court proceedings cleared the Senate today.

HB24-1350, sponsored by Senators Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, would make changes to the regulation of child and family investigators and evaluators. The bill would:

• Increase the hours of training required for investigators and evaluators;

• Require investigators and evaluators to provide options to the court that serve the best interest of the child;

• Require investigators and evaluators to provide written disclosure about their duties to each party involved in a court proceeding; 

• Require investigators and evaluators to include all information concerning domestic violence and child abuse acquired during the case, regardless of how they learn this information; and

• Require court personnel to be trained on coercive control, or a pattern of behavior an abuser uses to gain control and power over their victim.

“Too often, when domestic violence or child abuse is reported in custody cases, not only is custody ultimately awarded to the abuser, but survivors’ experiences are not taken seriously or are disregarded altogether,” said Winter. “In recent years, we have passed important legislation to increase awareness around these issues, but there’s more we can do. The protections included in this bill will ensure investigators have the necessary tools to reduce victim blaming bias and ensure safety for all of Colorado’s youth.”

“Victims of domestic violence and child abuse are often retraumatized during court proceedings by custody decisions that put them in further danger,” Michaelson Jenet said. “We must do everything we can to ensure child and family investigators are well-trained and equipped to act in the best interest of victims, which is why this bill is so important. With this bill, we’re helping ensure victims’ well-being and safety, while also improving accountability in our court system.”

HB24-1350 would also require a court to consider the health and safety needs of a child when allocating parenting time. If a court orders unsupervised parenting time for a parent accused of domestic violence or child abuse, the court must make a statement on why that decision is in the best interest of the child. 

Finally, the bill charges the State Court Administrator (SCA) with accepting complaints against family investigators and evaluators, and requires the SCA to annually report those complaints to the legislature.

HB24-1350 will now return to the House for consideration of amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE.