SB23-034 Summary

• Amends the definition of "serious bodily injury" in Colorado Revised Statutes section 18-1-901 to explicitly include penetrating knife wounds and penetrating gunshot wounds as examples of serious bodily injury.

• Clarifies that serious bodily injury encompasses wounds that involve a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, protracted loss or impairment of body function, breaks, fractures, penetrating knife or gunshot wounds, or second or third degree burns.

• Takes effect July 1, 2023.

• Includes a safety clause declaring the act necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, or safety.