Bill Sponsor
Colorado Senate Bill 49
Session 2022A
Victim Rights Act
Became Law
Became Law
Signed by Governor on May 6, 2022
Sponsors
Democrat
Rhonda Fields
Republican
Bob Gardner
Democrat
Kerry Tipper
Republican
Terri Carver
First Action
Jan 18, 2022
Latest Action
May 6, 2022
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill Number
49
State
Colorado
Session
2022A
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Primary
Democrat
Primary
Democrat
Primary
Republican
Primary
Senate Votes (3)
House Votes (1)
Summary
The act updates the "Victim Rights Act" (act). The purpose of the act is to ensure all victims of crimes are protected by law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and judges. The act updates include: Allowing a victim or the victim's designees to appear in court proceedings in person, by phone, or virtually by audio or video, or similar technology; Establishing for victims the right to receive a free copy of the initial incident report from the investigating law enforcement agency that includes, at a minimum, the victim's name, the offender's name, the date of the crime, the charges, and a summary of the incident. The investigating law enforcement agency is required to notify the district attorney of the information the victim received in the incident report and when it was provided to the victim. The district attorney is required to provide this information to any defendant involved in the case through the discovery process. Requiring defendants to attend sentencing hearings in person, by phone, or virtually by audio or video, or similar technology, to hear the victim's impact statement, unless the court excludes the defendant; Clarifying that the prosecutor shall explain the defendant's sentencing terms to the victim; Requiring the court to provide the victim or the victim's designee with translation or interpretation services as needed during all critical stages of the hearing; Requiring a court to order a bond hearing in any case that falls under the act; Clarifying that a designee or designees may represent the interests of a victim who is deceased or incapacitated; Clarifying that a party issuing a subpoena pursuant to Rule 17 of the Colorado rules of criminal procedure for the production of a victim's privileged records or a subpoena requesting a victim's compensation records shall file specific information with the court and serve that information to any opposing party; and Clarifying that the court shall quash any subpoena and not receive any records protected by privilege, unless the court finds, based on evidence, that the victim expressly or impliedly waived the statutory privilege. The act outlines when the court shall determine whether to receive and release any records relating to the victim.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Actions (15)
05/06/2022
Office of the Governor
Governor Signed
04/28/2022
Office of the Governor
Sent to the Governor
04/28/2022
House
Signed by the Speaker of the House
04/28/2022
Senate
Signed by the President of the Senate
04/20/2022
Senate
Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
04/19/2022
Senate
Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
04/18/2022
House
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
04/14/2022
House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
04/13/2022
House
House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
02/22/2022
House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary
02/22/2022
Senate
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
02/18/2022
Senate
Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee
02/10/2022
Senate
Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
02/09/2022
Senate
Senate Committee on Judiciary Lay Over Unamended - Amendment(s) Failed
01/18/2022
Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary
Sources
Record Created
Jan 19, 2022 6:06:20 AM
Record Updated
Aug 10, 2022 1:49:38 AM