ColoradoAbuse in Cases of Separation
What it does
The act clarifies that, for the purposes of the 'Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act', domestic violence includes specified acts or threatened acts of harm or property damage against a family or household member; and clarifies that the conduct in the definition of domestic violence is domestic violence regardless of whether it constitutes a criminal offense. A person's protective behaviors do not constitute domestic violence. For purposes of determining the allocation of parental responsibilities based on the best interests of the child, the act requires that for any evidence submitted to the court concerning whether a party has committed domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or sexual assault that resulted in the conception of a child, the court may consider any relevant and admissible evidence, and the court shall make findings on the record by a preponderance of the evidence whether the party has committed domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or sexual assault that resulted in the conception of a child.
More detail
If the court determines by a preponderance of the evidence that a party has committed domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or sexual assault that resulted in the conception of a child, the act outlines the considerations that the court must undertake when determining decision-making responsibility and parenting time. Under current law, prior to a court ordering a party accused of domestic violence or child abuse to take steps to improve a relationship with a protected party, a mental health professional who is approved by the domestic violence offender management board must verify the accused party's behavior. Instead, the act requires that the accused party participate in treatment with a mental health professional who holds a master's or doctoral degree and a mental health professional license and has specialized training and expertise in treating survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence and child abuse and the effects of domestic violence and child abuse.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- May 21Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- May 21Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- May 21Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 13Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Lower
- May 13House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
- May 12Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
- May 11Senate Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
- May 7Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military AffairsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1309, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.009 (Attachment D). Result: pass.Upper
- May 7Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- May 6House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- May 5House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.005. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.004. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1309, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- May 5House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
- Mar 31House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment C). Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A). Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1309, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 2Introduced In House - Assigned to JudiciaryIntroduced