Senate Committee Unanimously Approves Bill to Support Vulnerable Kids Through Child Abuse Cases
Senate Committee Unanimously Approves Bill to Support Vulnerable Kids Through Child Abuse Cases
DENVER, CO – Today, legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, to help children who are navigating child abuse cases in the justice system unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“Kids who have experienced unthinkable trauma deserve justice, but in the process of getting it, they’re often forced to re-live their experiences in court proceedings and have limited resources while navigating a complicated system,” Cutter said. “This legislation would give them trauma-informed resources so they have the information and support they need to get that justice from their abusers.”
HB26-1103 would require law enforcement agencies to report child sex offense claims to a local child advocacy center (CAC) within a week of when the alleged offense occurred. If there is no CAC within the judicial district, the agency must report the alleged offense to the CAC that they determine would best serve the child.
Current law allows a child under 12 years old to give testimony in a room other than the courtroom if the judge believes that the child would experience serious emotional distress or trauma in the presence of the defendant. The bill would raise the age to under 18 years old, require courts to make considerations about a child’s ability to give testimony in front of the alleged offender, and allow for collaboration with a child advocacy center to conduct interviews.
There are 19 CACs across Colorado with over 33,000 child abuse professionals and community members who provide wraparound services to survivors. Each CAC has trained forensic interviewers and victim advocates to support the child through the judicial process and with mental health services.
The legislature is concurrently considering the Colorado Child Advocacy Center Act, which would reinforce the expectations that CACs coordinate with law enforcement and adopt trauma-informed practices as they move through the investigation, treatment, and prosecution processes.
HB26-1103 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress here.