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Signed into law: Colorado increases protection for victims of sexual assault; ‘Bill of Rights’ for foster kids

By 04/24/2024 | updated 2 years ago

As the legislation session comes to an end, an increasing number of bills are coming to the governor’s desk for approval.

Sitting in place of Gov. Jared Polis while he is out of the country, Lt. Gov. Diane Primavera signed two bills into law on April 24: House Bill 1072 and House Bill 1017. 

House Bill 1072 expands current law to allow defendants in sexual assault cases to introduce evidence of a victim or witness’s history of false reporting of unlawful sexual behavior, as long as they can have sufficient evidence that the reports were false. 

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The bill passed through the House on a vote of 63-2 and through the Senate unanimously. It goes into effect for all court cases beginning on or after July 1. 

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster and Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, and Sens. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton and Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora.

House Bill 1017 establishes a statutory bill of rights for children and teens in the foster care system and requires them to be informed of their rights upon initial placement, if placement changes occur, and at least annually.
 
The bill passed through the House on a vote of 43-19 and through the Senate on a vote of 22-12. Republicans took issue with a specific section of the bill that protects foster youth from discrimination or harassment on the basis of “actual or perceived race or ancestry, ethnic group, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, marital status, familial status, source of income, military status, or HIV status.” 
 
During House debate on the bill early in the session, Rep. Scott Bottoms, R-Colorado Springs, expressed concern with the bill’s mention of gender, sexuality, and religion. 
 
“It says that if I’m a foster parent, I have to affirm any LGBT mentalities,” he said. “That is not OK, and that is exactly what this bill does and says. It takes away religious freedom, it takes away parental rights, it takes away Christian rights, and it takes away the ability of a foster parent to actually try to bring structure to these children’s homes.”
 
The bill was sponsored by Representatives Lindsey Daugherty, D- Arvada, and Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie, and Senators Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City.
 

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