HB23-1178 Summary

• Creates new Colorado law requiring courts in parental allocation cases involving domestic violence or child abuse claims to consider expert testimony from those with direct victim advocacy experience (not solely forensic expertise) and to consider evidence of past abuse including protection orders, arrests, convictions, and victim advocate documentation.

• Prohibits courts from removing children from protective parents solely to improve relationships with accused abusers, restricting contact between children and protective parents for this purpose, or ordering reunification treatment without scientific proof of safety and effectiveness, or requiring such treatment that cuts off child-protective parent relationships.

• Mandates training requirements for child and family investigators, parental responsibility evaluators, and legal representatives: minimum 20 hours initial training and 15 hours every five years on domestic violence, child sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, coercive control, bias, trauma, and victim/perpetrator behavioral patterns.

• Requires professional trainers conducting the mandatory training to have substantial experience assisting domestic violence or child abuse survivors and must rely on evidence-based, peer-reviewed research without including unproven theories or unsupported belief systems.

• Directs the judicial branch to apply for federal grant increases under the "Keeping Children Safe from Family Violence Act" and requires a task force to study and recommend training requirements for judges and magistrates presiding over parental responsibility cases.