.png){kind=logo}
DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, on a preliminary vote that would improve support for children as they navigate trauma, maltreatment, and abuse.
“Colorado kids deserve to have a strong foundation to build a successful future, and our bill would strengthen their support system within child advocacy centers so we can build on the trauma-informed care that they receive,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Child advocacy centers are a crucial lifeline for kids who are facing alleged abuse, and by defining them in statute, we can better connect kids with the services they need in critical moments. This bipartisan bill would ensure consistency, transparency and accountability across the state and improve protections for children and their hardworking advocates.”
HB26-1142, also known as the Colorado Child Advocacy Center Act, would reinforce the expectations that child advocacy centers (CAC) coordinate with law enforcement and adopt trauma-informed practices as they move through investigation, treatment, and prosecution processes. Further, the bill moves CACs to a multidisciplinary investigative board that must include a member of a law enforcement agency, a district attorney or assistant district attorney, a member of the county department’s child protective services unit, a local mental health provide, a local health care provider, a victim advocate and a CAC staff.
The bill would also allow county departments of human services and CAC multidisciplinary team members to share relevant information with the purpose of protecting a child in a maltreatment case. It would also offer civil and criminal immunity for CAC advocates for sharing relevant information between multidisciplinary teams and county departments and civil immunity for CAC board members, staff and volunteers for actions taken in good faith. Adding clarity around information sharing and confidentiality would boost advocates’ confidence and help encourage collaboration while protecting children.
CACs provide services to children and their families in the case of abuse. These services can include medical evaluations, mental health treatment, assistance navigating the judical system and child abuse prevention. There are 19 CACs across the state that have served nearly 6,000 Colorado kids.
The bill was also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction.