summary
Introduced
02/19/2025
02/19/2025
In Committee
04/29/2025
04/29/2025
Crossed Over
05/15/2025
05/15/2025
Passed
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
CONCERNING MISCONDUCT BY CRIME LABORATORY EMPLOYEES, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, REQUIRING A CRIME LABORATORY EMPLOYEE TO REPORT MISCONDUCT, REQUIRING NOTIFYING CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS AND VICTIMS OF MISCONDUCT, CREATING A PROCESS FOR A PERSON TO SEEK POST-CONVICTION RELIEF BASED ON A CLAIM OF MISCONDUCT BY A CRIME LABORATORY EMPLOYEE, AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Colorado Forensic Science Integrity Act, which creates a comprehensive framework for addressing misconduct by crime laboratory employees. The legislation requires crime laboratory employees to report any wrongful actions (defined as knowing misconduct or significant deviations from standard procedures) within seven days of discovering them, and mandates that crime laboratory directors thoroughly investigate such reports. When misconduct is found, the bill requires district attorneys to notify both criminal defendants and victims about the investigation and its findings. The bill provides a process for defendants to seek post-conviction relief if a crime laboratory employee's misconduct could have materially affected their case, with specific timelines based on the severity of the original offense (three years for most felonies, eighteen months for misdemeanors). Defendants have the right to court-appointed counsel to investigate and pursue these claims, and they must demonstrate by a preponderance of evidence that the misconduct was material to their case. If successful, the court may vacate the conviction and grant a new trial. The bill also includes provisions for preserving and potentially releasing investigation records, and appropriates $140,443 to the judicial department to implement these new requirements. The legislation aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and integrity in forensic science and the criminal justice system.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (54)
Lisa Frizell (R)*,
Matt Soper (R)*,
Michael Weissman (D)*,
Yara Zokaie (D)*,
Judy Amabile (D),
Jennifer Bacon (D),
Mark Baisley (R),
Matt Ball (D),
Shannon Bird (D),
Andrew Boesenecker (D),
Kyle Brown (D),
Sean Camacho (D),
John Carson (R),
Michael Carter (D),
Chad Clifford (D),
James Coleman (D),
Lisa Cutter (D),
Lindsey Daugherty (D),
Cecelia Espenoza (D),
Tony Exum (D),
Meg Froelich (D),
Lorena García (D),
Julie Gonzales (D),
Eliza Hamrick (D),
Jamie Jackson (D),
Iman Jodeh (D),
Junie Joseph (D),
Cathy Kipp (D),
Barbara Kirkmeyer (R),
Sheila Lieder (D),
Mandy Lindsay (D),
William Lindstedt (D),
Larry Liston (R),
Meghan Lukens (D),
Javier Mabrey (D),
Janice Marchman (D),
Bob Marshall (D),
Julie McCluskie (D),
Kyle Mullica (D),
Amy Paschal (D),
Byron Pelton (R),
Rod Pelton (R),
Naquetta Ricks (D),
Dylan Roberts (D),
Manny Rutinel (D),
Emily Sirota (D),
Marc Snyder (D),
Katie Stewart (D),
Rebekah Stewart (D),
Tammy Story (D),
Tom Sullivan (D),
Brianna Titone (D),
Alex Valdez (D),
Katie Wallace (D),
Last Action
Governor Signed (on 06/02/2025)
Official Document
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