PRIA Logo™
ColoradoSB26-0952026 Regular SessionSenate

Measures to Support Victim-Survivors of Crimes

Sponsored By: Jenny Willford (Democratic), Meg Froelich (Democratic), Mike Weissman (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Court access for sexual misconduct claims

People alleging sexual harassment or sexual misconduct can ask to set aside arbitration agreements made before the dispute arose. They can also ask to set aside earlier waivers that block joint, class, or collective actions. A named representative bringing a related group case can make the request too. At their request, these agreements and waivers are unenforceable for that dispute. A court decides enforceability, even when the contract assigns that decision to an arbitrator.

Separate-room testimony for eligible crime survivors

Judges can allow separate-room video testimony in domestic violence, unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, and involuntary or sexual servitude trafficking prosecutions. The judge must find that courtroom testimony before the defendant causes serious distress or trauma that prevents reasonable communication. Equipment must be available, and the video transmission is closed to the public. Written requests are generally due at least 35 days before trial; judges can allow late requests for good cause. This option does not apply when the defendant has no lawyer or the survivor is under 18 or has an intellectual or developmental disability. Separate law governs testimony by children and survivors with those disabilities. The law controls who can attend and question the witness, permits a support person, and allows jury viewing and electronic communication.

Survivors get clearer forensic exam information

Providers performing medical forensic exams must explain how survivors can check when testing is done and get results and records. They must give survivors contact information for the nearest community-based victim advocate, including those making medical or anonymous reports. Providers must explain that collected evidence stays until the assailant can no longer be prosecuted. They must also explain that survivors receive notice before evidence is destroyed.

Forensic scientists can testify remotely

In Colorado criminal cases, judges must allow forensic scientists to testify remotely when one side asks and both sides agree. The law creates no payment or reimbursement for using this option.

Police gain trauma training and funding

Annual peace officer training must include two hours on trauma's effects on survivors and appropriate police responses. The training rules also include proper restraints, two hours on bias, and alternating two-hour courses on community policing or de-escalation. Interactive online training is allowed; the statute retains a July 1, 2017 completion deadline and five-year repeat language. The Peace Officer Training and Support Fund can support trauma-informed investigations, survivor-response training, and officer compensation. These expanded uses do not specify a new funding amount.

Survivors join sexual assault review board

The law renames the state forensic evidence review board the Colorado Sexual Assault Response Review Board and changes its membership. It includes two survivors: one representing a rural community and one representing a metro or urban community. Members also represent municipal crime labs, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation lab, evidence-kit tracking, victim-service funding, and victim-rights compliance. Three members represent organizations serving communities with disproportionately high sexual assault rates. The Attorney General can appoint up to three additional members.

Survivor-statement lawsuits face dismissal and fees

People sued over protected survivor statements can seek dismissal unless the plaintiff shows a reasonable likelihood of winning. The protection covers statements by alleged victims of charged domestic violence, unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, or involuntary or sexual servitude trafficking. Covered settings include criminal, Title IX, and child welfare investigations; protection-order petitions; required child-abuse reports; and other court-like proceedings. Motions are generally due within 63 days after the complaint is served, though judges can allow later filing. Filing usually pauses discovery, but judges can allow specific discovery for good cause. Hearings are scheduled within 28 days when practical, and orders granting or denying dismissal can be appealed immediately. Winning defendants may recover legal fees and costs, exposing plaintiffs to those expenses. Plaintiffs may recover fees and costs when a motion is frivolous or intended only to cause unnecessary delay.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jenny Willford

    Democratic • House

  • Meg Froelich

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Weissman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Ava Flanell

    Republican • House

  • Amy Paschal

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Titone

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Junie Joseph

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Lorena Garcia

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Goldstein

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Meghan Lukens

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Rebecca Keltie

    Republican • House

  • Ron Weinberg

    Republican • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • Tammy Story

    Democratic • House

  • Yara Zokaie

    Democratic • House

  • Sen. A. Benavidez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dylan Roberts

    Democratic • Senate

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jeff Bridges

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Gonzales

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matt Ball

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marc Snyder

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 226 • No: 29

Senate vote • 4/27/2026

House amendments: Concur

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/27/2026

House amendments: Repass

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 4/24/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 58 • No: 2

House vote • 4/17/2026

Committee of the whole: Amd (h.001)

Yes: 44 • No: 19

House vote • 4/14/2026

Adopt amendment L.008 (Attachment E).

Yes: 4 • No: 7

House vote • 4/14/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-095, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 10 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/2/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-095, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/19/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/5/2026House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    5/5/2026House

  4. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/4/2026Senate

  5. Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

    4/27/2026Senate

  6. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/24/2026House

  7. House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    4/20/2026House

  8. House Committee of the Whole Amendment - Change from Passed to Lost

    4/17/2026House

  9. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

    4/17/2026House

  10. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    4/17/2026House

  11. House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    4/14/2026House

  12. Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary

    3/9/2026House

  13. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/6/2026Senate

  14. Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    3/5/2026Senate

  15. Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    3/2/2026Senate

  16. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary

    2/11/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Judiciary Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Senate Judiciary Preamend

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation