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Bill > HB1123


CO HB1123

CO HB1123
Preventing Sexual Abuse in Jails


summary

Introduced
02/04/2026
In Committee
04/22/2026
Crossed Over
04/06/2026
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

The bill requires that the reasonable belief standard to conduct a strip search apply to all arrests, not just the arrest of an individual for a traffic or petty offense. The bill requires 2 peace officers to make a determination that there is reasonable belief to conduct a strip search and requires that the reason and results of a strip search be documented in a report. The bill prohibits the use of body-worn cameras to capture videos during strip searches when other forms of recording or surveillance are available. The bill limits access to video recordings that depict prisoner nudity. The bill requires courts to deny requests by a defendant in a criminal proceeding to copy, photograph, duplicate, or otherwise reproduce a video recording of a strip search. The bill requires local detention facilities to have a policy detailing staff protocol for responding to suspected, alleged, or witnessed sexual abuse and requires jail staff to report suspected, alleged, or witnessed sexual abuse. The bill creates whistleblower protection policies for jail staff. The bill requires local detention facilities to inform prisoners of their rights and the resources available to them if they are a victim of sexual abuse while in jail and allow sexual assault advocates to access prisoners who request advocacy services. The bill requires local detention facilities to designate a "Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003" (PREA) coordinator and requires jails to provide the coordinator's contact information to prisoners and the public. The bill requires the legislative oversight committee concerning Colorado jail standards (committee) to develop guidelines for identifying, and creating a process for, qualified third parties or certified PREA auditors to audit local detention facilities and their sexual abuse prevention policies upon request of the committee. The bill requires the removal of P.O.S.T. certification from any peace officer who is found by an administrative law judge, hearing officer, or internal investigation to have sexually abused a prisoner in a local detention facility.

AI Summary

This bill strengthens protections against sexual abuse in local detention facilities, which are defined as county jails or city/town facilities for municipal ordinance violators. It expands the requirement for two peace officers to have a reasonable belief before conducting a strip search, meaning this standard now applies to all arrests, not just those for minor offenses, and mandates that the reasons and results of any strip search be documented. The bill also prohibits the use of body-worn cameras during strip searches if other recording methods are available, limits access to recordings showing prisoner nudity, and prevents defendants from obtaining copies of such recordings in criminal cases. Furthermore, it requires local detention facilities to establish policies for responding to and reporting suspected or witnessed sexual abuse, provides whistleblower protections for jail staff who report such abuse, and mandates that prisoners be informed of their rights and available resources for victims of sexual abuse, including access to sexual assault advocates. The bill also requires the designation of a Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) coordinator in each facility, whose contact information must be shared with prisoners and the public, and establishes a process for qualified third parties or PREA auditors to review these facilities' sexual abuse prevention policies. Finally, it mandates the permanent revocation of a peace officer's certification if they are found to have sexually abused a prisoner in a local detention facility.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Justice

Sponsors (26)

Last Action

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing (08:00:00 4/28/2026 LSB-B) (on 04/28/2026)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1123
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Budget Staff Analysis SA2 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115191/download
Fiscal Note Second Revised Fiscal Note https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/115152/download
Senate Judiciary Amendment L.023 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/19476/download
Senate Judiciary Amendment L.022 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/19477/download
Senate Judiciary Amendment L.021 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/19473/download
Senate Judiciary Amendment L.020 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/19474/download
Senate Judiciary Amendment L.019 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/19475/download
BillText https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/113987/download
BillText https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/113913/download
Second Reading Amendment L.017 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/18903/download
Second Reading Amendment L.012 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/18901/download
Second Reading Amendment L.014 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/18902/download
Second Reading Amendment L.011 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/18900/download
House Appropriations Amendment J.001 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/18651/download
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Budget Staff Analysis SA1 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/113468/download
Fiscal Note First Revised Fiscal Note https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/113426/download
House Judiciary Amendment L.005 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/18432/download
House Judiciary Amendment L.004 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/18428/download
House Judiciary Amendment L.003 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/18429/download
House Judiciary Amendment L.002 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/18430/download
House Judiciary Amendment L.001 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/18431/download
Fiscal Note FN1 https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/112843/download
BillText https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/111326/download
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