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SB26-095 would update Colorado law to improve transparency, strengthen survivor rights, and bolster trauma-informed procedures in court and law enforcement response
DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation that would improve access to information for survivors of crime and strengthen trauma-informed practices in the justice system. SB26-095, sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Jenny Willford, passed by a vote of 58-2.
“This survivor-led bill builds on the progress we have made to improve protections for survivors and make it easier for them to hold their abuser accountable,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “The justice system can be daunting, especially when a survivor is discouraged from pursuing their case and is left to figure out how to track the status of their DNA evidence kit on their own. It should not be so hard for survivors to manage their cases. By improving trauma-informed investigations and response, survivors are more empowered and protected during the judicial process.”
“The truth is that the systems that are meant to protect us often fail us, and we’re aiming to fix that through education and transparency,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Many survivors never report their assault because they are intimidated by the justice system. The legislation we’re passing today would require law enforcement officers to go through annual trauma-informed training and allow survivors to give testimony remotely, creating a safer environment for survivors to pursue justice.”
SB26-095 would make several updates to Colorado statute, including:
Ensuring that victims are notified when forensic testing is complete and informed of how to obtain results and other records related to testing;
Creating a special motion to dismiss claims arising from protected survivor statements made during investigations or legal proceedings, helping to shield survivors from retaliatory lawsuits;
Limiting the enforceability of mandatory pre-dispute arbitration and joint-action waivers, thereby strengthening the rights of survivors in sexual misconduct disputes;
Authorizing remote forensic testimony and allowing certain survivors to voluntarily testify remotely via closed-circuit television; and
Expanding training and use of peace officer training funds to include trauma-informed law enforcement response training.
Reps. Froelich and Willford passed laws last year to address the backlog in DNA tests collected in sexual assault investigations and protect survivors and children conceived through sexual assault. The CBI backlog of processing sexual assault evidence kits reached over 1,400 days in February 2025. As of March 2026, the backlog has been reduced to over 560 days.
Rep. Froelich has also passed laws to give survivors of sexual assault new rights to access DNA evidence kits and require judges and other court personnel to receive training regarding child abuse, child sexual abuse and custody decisions.