Colorado Senate rejects constitutional amendment to let lawmakers expand civil claims for childhood sexual abuse

Summary

After hours of emotional testimony and policy debate, the Colorado Senate voted 23-12 to reject Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR 25-002, a proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed the General Assembly to pass laws letting survivors of childhood sexual abuse bring civil claims regardless of when the abuse occurred.

The Colorado Senate on third reading debated and then rejected SCR 25-002, the "childhood sexual abuse accountability" amendment, after extended floor remarks and testimony from supporting and opposing senators.

Senator Dylan Danielson, the prime sponsor, opened debate by urging passage and repeatedly framed the measure as a narrow question for voters. "I move SCR 25 dash 0 0 2, the child sexual abuse accountability amendment on third reading and final passage," Danielson said. He described the measure as asking voters whether the legislature should be able to enact laws to let survivors pursue civil claims when existing constitutional provisions currently limit retrospective legislation. Danielson told colleagues the change is "to give this body the chance to do the right thing" and said survivors had asked the chamber to "not silence the voters of Colorado."

Supporters emphasized the emotional and practical…

Colorado Senate rejects constitutional amendment to let lawmakers expand civil claims for childhood sexual abuse

Summary

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