House Passes Bill to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault

DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to protect survivors of sexual assault. HB25-1185 would establish a clearer process for parents to legally relinquish their rights while protecting the child's best interest. 

“No one should have to co-parent with their assailant, yet Colorado’s current law makes it nearly impossible for survivors to access the justice they deserve,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This bill bridges some of the gaps in current law to make sure survivors are not legally locked into co-parenting with their assailant. This bill prioritizes what’s best for the survivor and child by establishing a clearer process for relinquishing parental rights.” 

“Co-parenting with the person who sexually assaulted you can be traumatic, stressful and nightmarish for survivors,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “With the passage of this bill, we’re prioritizing survivors by creating an easier and clearer process for survivors to terminate their assailant's parental rights. We must take steps now to modernize and streamline Colorado’s juvenile court proceedings because survivors and their children are depending on it.” 

HB25-1185 passed the House by a vote of 62-0. This bill aims to protect survivors and children conceived through sexual assault. Specifically, this legislation outlines new procedures for parents who are a survivor of sexual assault to file a petition to prevent contact with the person who committed the assault. Additionally, it would set up clear guidelines for assailants to relinquish their parental rights, including all legal obligations, such as child support. 

The goal of HB25-1185 is to protect children conceived through sexual assault and ensure they receive the support they need, including their right to inheritance, unless adoption procedures follow. This bill updates current law by clarifying and reducing the number of requirements parents petitioning to relinquish their parental rights must prove in juvenile court.

There are between 17,000 and 32,000 sexual assault-related pregnancy cases that occur in the United States each year, leaving survivors legally-bound to their assailant in some cases. This bill aims to remove and simplify legal barriers in Colorado  to ensure survivors have access to court proceedings to protect them and their child.