Senate committee advances bill to require lethality assessments, connection to confidential advocates; opponents warn of duplication

The Senate Judiciary Committee on March 16 advanced House Bill 26‑1009, a proposal that would require responding peace officers to administer a validated lethality assessment beginning July 1, 2027, and connect victims identified as high risk to confidential community‑based advocates.

Senator Pelton, the bill sponsor, described the measure as "about protecting victims, strengthening families, and giving law enforcement a practical tool" and cited statewide training, mandatory reporting and an evaluation by the domestic violence fatality review board by 2030. She told the committee that Colorado recorded 58 domestic violence deaths in 2023 and 74 in 2024, figures she attributed to the state’s domestic violence fatality review.

Supporters—including survivors, community‑based advocates and the state anti‑domestic‑violence coalition—said the Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) is evidence‑based and can save lives by identifying high‑risk cases and providing an immediate, confidential warm handoff to advocates who can offer safety planning and long‑term services. "The lab is a life saving tool," said Regina Downing, training program director at Violence Free Colorado.

Opponents and some system‑based advocates urged changes to implementation language. Several witnesses said the bill’s requirement that officers contact a community‑based advocate risks duplicating on‑scene work performed by law‑enforcement‑based victim advocates, potentially overwhelming victims and straining nonprofit capacity. Gabriela Duran, testifying from personal and professional experience, said she would "prefer for myself and suggest to someone in need of having an advocate, choose the police department advocate over an NGO advocate," citing immediate legal access and continuity.

Proponents replied the bill preserves survivor choice and does not force survivors to participate in the phone call, and that community advocates need not respond in person. David Karnes of Violence Free Colorado said the LAP adds a confidential connection that many survivors value because it allows them to speak without fear that information will be shared with prosecution systems.

After closing remarks, the committee voted to send HB26‑1009 to the Appropriations Committee by a roll call of 6–1; Senator Zamora Wilson voted no. The sponsor said the move reflects the bill’s training and implementation costs; the committee’s action advances the measure but does not enact it.

Next steps: HB26‑1009 will proceed to the Appropriations Committee, where budgetary impacts and implementation details will be examined.