CCADV’s Civil Protection & Domestic Relations Orders Bill (HB 1259)
Heads to the Governor for Signature!!!
Victims and Survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and stalking, Advocates, Legal Professionals, Parents and Community Partners spoke up for greater safety and an enhanced response to abuse by Colorado’s civil legal system and they were heard! The vast majority of legislators agreed, and thanks to the tireless dedication, passion and strong leadership of Representative Beth McCann and Senator Linda Newell, sponsors of the bill, it’s now on its way to the Governor’s desk!
After the initial favorable vote by the Senate on Friday, May 3rd, HB 1259 was caught up on Monday in a procedural hurdle associated with another bill, but received final passage by a vote of 24-11 in the Senate yesterday. Once HB 1259 is signed into law, the provisions go into effect July 1, 2013 and apply to domestic relations petitions or motions filed on or after the effective date and apply to civil protection orders entered on or after the effective date.
CCADV knows that this bill will not address all of the challenges and injustices experienced by victims and survivors of abuse as they seek safety and protection for themselves or their children through the Colorado civil legal system, but we believe it is a significant step in the right direction.
We would be remiss if we didn’t thank our sister organization, the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, as well as Parents United for Change, for their contributions to the bill and for their support. Finally, CCADV extends our gratitude once again to all of you for your time and energy to bring this new law to fruition through development of the underlying recommendations by members of the Domestic Violence & Domestic Relations Task Force, by serving on the Public Policy Committee, providing testimony, or contacting legislators to seek their support. We did this together!
- Click here to access the final version of the bill.
- The most current bill fact sheet is available here.
