Restoration Of Honor Act

The act establishes a "discharged LGBT veteran" status for the purposes of Colorado law. A person is a discharged LGBT veteran if the person was discharged from the armed services due to:

• The person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression;
• Statements, consensual sexual conduct, or consensual acts relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression unless the statements, conduct, or acts are prohibited by the uniform code of military justice on grounds other than the person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; or
• The disclosure of statements, conduct, or acts relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression that were prohibited by the armed services at the time of discharge.

A person who received a dishonorable discharge, bad conduct discharge, or, if the person was an officer, a dismissal from the armed services is not eligible to be a discharged LGBT veteran.

Pursuant to a process established by the division of veterans affairs, the board of veterans affairs determines whether a person qualifies as a discharged LGBT veteran. This determination does not change the veteran's official character of discharge on the veteran's discharge paperwork, nor does it affect a person's eligibility for federal veterans programs or benefits. The act amends various existing state programs and benefits to make a discharged LGBT veteran eligible for those programs and benefits.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)