Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Pair of Bills to Strengthen Support for Survivors of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence

DENVER, CO – The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed legislation to strengthen victim protections in domestic violence cases and improve sexual assault survivors’ access to information.

HB23-1222, sponsored by Senators Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, would require municipalities that criminalize domestic violence to establish protections and rights for victims consistent with the Victims Rights Act (VRA). These requirements include that: 

• Victims, victims’ families, and witnesses of a domestic violence violation will receive protections and rights under the VRA;

• Sentencing, probation, and release on bond for a violation must be consistent with state law;

• Guidelines and standards are consistent with those adopted by the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board; and

• The prosecuting attorney that originally meets with the victim should make an effort to stay on the case throughout the proceeding.

“Since the pandemic, domestic violence cases have surged across the United States, including here in Colorado,” Roberts said. “Under current law, county and municipal courts aren’t held to the same procedural standards for domestic violence cases, which allows perpetrators and survivors to fall through the cracks. This bill will improve the way municipal courts handle domestic violence cases – ensuring survivors are given the protections they deserve while creating a safer state for all Coloradans.”

The Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board reported that there were 91 fatalities due to domestic violence in 2021 – the highest the state has seen since the board was founded in 2017.

Yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee passed HB23-1199, also sponsored by Winter. The bill would require the Department of Public Safety to create a statewide system for sexual assault survivors to monitor the status of evidence obtained during their forensic medical examinations. 

“I’m proud to be a part of multiple pieces of transformative legislation to strengthen autonomy and control for survivors of intimate violence,” said Winter. “No survivor should ever have to pay a bill for their forensic exam, or feel unsafe during their court proceedings. These bills signal our commitment to furthering support for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in Colorado.”

The bipartisan bill aims to bolster the SAVE program, established under HB13-1163, with critical funding to ensure sexual assault survivors aren’t discouraged from getting a rape kit nor billed for a forensic exam.

HB23-1199 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee, while HB23-1222 heads to the Senate floor. Their progress can be found HERE and HERE, respectively.