SB 95 Colorado Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Measures to Support Victim-Survivors of Crimes

Summary
The act requires a licensee, nurse, or certified midwife who performs a medical forensic examination to inform the victim-survivor about how to determine when the testing related to the examination is complete and how to obtain the results and records.     The act subjects a cause of action against a person arising from any protected statement by a victim-survivor to a special motion to dismiss unless the court determines that the plaintiff has established that there is a reasonable likelihood that the plaintiff will prevail on the claim.     The act makes a predispute arbitration agreement and predispute joint-action waiver void and unenforceable upon request of an individual who alleges conduct that results in a sexual harassment dispute or a sexual misconduct dispute or upon request of a named representative of a joint action, class action, or collective action that results in a sexual harassment dispute or a sexual misconduct dispute.     The act requires a judge to allow a forensic scientist to testify remotely in a criminal proceeding if a party requests and both parties consent to the remote testimony.     The act authorizes the court to order that the testimony of a victim-survivor of domestic violence, unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, human trafficking for involuntary servitude, or human trafficking for sexual servitude be taken in a room other than the courtroom and be televised by closed-circuit television in the courtroom under certain circumstances.     The act requires peace officer annual in-service training programs to include a 2-hour training to improve a peace officer's understanding of the impact of trauma on victim-survivors of crimes and the optimal way for a peace officer to respond to victim-survivors who are experiencing trauma and includes trauma-informed investigation and response training as a permissible use of peace officer training and support fund money.     The act renames the Colorado sexual assault forensic medical evidence review board as the Colorado sexual assault response review board and adds 4 members to the board.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Signed May 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons

What changed between versions

Final Act Signed Act · 4 edits · May 19, 2026
MODERATE
This bill updates Colorado laws regarding victim-survivor protections in criminal cases and civil disputes. It modifies reporting requirements for medical forensic exams to include instructions on obtaining test results and adds a new legal mechanism to dismiss frivolous lawsuits against victims who make protected statements during investigations. The bill also defines 'protected statements' broadly to include reports made to Title IX investigators and child welfare agencies.
Scope change
The scope expanded to include civil litigation protections for victims, specifically allowing them to file motions to dismiss lawsuits arising from their statements made during criminal or quasi-judicial investigations.
REQUIREMENT

Updated medical forensic exam reporting duties to inform victims how to determine when testing is complete and how to obtain results and records.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a new legal process allowing victim-survivors to file a special motion to dismiss lawsuits based on statements they made during criminal or quasi-judicial investigations.

DEFINITION

Defined 'protected statement' to include communications made to Title IX investigators, child welfare agencies, and civil protection order petitioners.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting inconsistencies in statute citations and section numbering throughout the text.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
8
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 19, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
May 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker of the House
lower
May 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President of the Senate
upper
Apr 27, 2026
Introduced
Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
upper
Apr 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
lower
Apr 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee of the Whole Amendment - Change from Passed to Lost
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary
upper
3 primary · 38 co-sponsors

Sponsors