SB16-034: Tampering With A Deceased Human Body

• Creates new crime of tampering with a deceased human body under Colorado Revised Statutes 18-8-610.5, classified as a Class 3 felony.

• Makes it illegal to willfully destroy, mutilate, conceal, remove, or alter a human body, body part, or human remains without legal authority when an official proceeding is pending, in progress, or about to be instituted, with intent to impair its appearance or availability in the proceedings.

• Amends the definition of "physical evidence" in statute 18-8-610 to exclude human bodies, body parts, and human remains that are subject to violations of the new tampering statute.

• Takes effect September 1, 2016, unless a referendum petition is filed within 90 days after final adjournment, in which case it becomes effective only upon approval by voters at the November 2016 general election.

• Applies to offenses committed on or after the effective date.