Measures to Support Victim-Survivors of Crimes

      Sections 1 and 2 of the bill require 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.

      Section 3 of the bill authorizes a hospital employee or agent who is treating an emergency room patient for sexual assault to dispense a 30-day supply of drugs for prophylaxis of sexually transmitted infections to the patient.

      Section 4 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.

      Section 5 of the bill 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.

      Section 6 of the bill 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.

      Section 7 of the bill 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.

      Section 8 of the bill 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. Section 10 of the bill includes trauma-informed investigation and response training as a permissible use of peace officer training and support fund money.

      Section 9 of the bill renames the Colorado sexual assault forensic medical evidence review board as the Colorado sexual assault response review board and adds 3 members to the board.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)