SB 25-304 created the Sex Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board (Board) in the Department of Law.
Under SB25-304, the Board is directed to:
- Review and monitor the effectiveness of the current protocols, standards, and training practices for the medical, law enforcement, and criminal-legal system response to sexual assault;
- Develop recommendations to improve specific protocols, standards, and training practices for the medical, law enforcement, and criminal-legal system response to sexual assault;
- Ensure victim-centered implementation of provisions regarding medical forensic exams for victims of sexual assault in the federal “Violence Against Women Act of 1994”;
- Provide ongoing review of data and information regarding the needs, priorities, and services for responding to sexual assault throughout the state;
- Monitor the effectiveness of laws concerning sexual assault and make recommendations to the general assembly to improve their effectiveness;
- Make recommendations to the general assembly concerning the response to sexual assault, including medical forensic evidence, law enforcement reporting, and victim experience; and
- On or before December 15, 2025, submit a preliminary report to the General Assembly. Annual reports on or before November 1, 2026, thereafter.
The Attorney General and the Governor have appointed the following members to the Board:
- The executive director of the Colorado district attorneys’ council or their designee
- Jessica Dotter, Colorado District Attorneys’ Council
- A representative of a statewide nonprofit organization that offers training and expert advice to sexual assault programs
- Gina Lopez, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- A representative of a statewide nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance to victims of sexual assault
- Emily Tofte Nestaval, Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center
- A representative of a statewide organization that provides training and technical assistance for medical forensic exams
- Megan McCulley, UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central
- A representative of a statewide association of chiefs of police
- John Koch, Colorado Springs Police Department
- A representative of a statewide association of sheriffs
- Steve Nowlin, Montezuma County Sheriff
- Three representatives from organizations that provide services or advocate for communities that experience disproportionate rates of sexual assault
- Ashley Jellison, Colorado Children’s Alliance
- Hanni Raley, The Arc of Aurora and Think Change
- Faith Koehler, Archuleta County Public Health Department
- Up to three members, at the discretion of the attorney general, whose contributions the attorney general determines would be valuable to the work of the review board
- Laura Patlan, The Blue Bench
- Natalie Seils, Department of Public Safety and Survivor Advocate
- Elizabeth Wilmer, Office of Victim Assistance, University of Colorado
- A representative of the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Public Safety who has oversight of the statewide sexual assault evidence collection kit tracking system created in section 24-33.5-113.5
- Jill Nore, Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Justice
- A representative of the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Public Safety who has oversight of federal and state victim service funding and victim rights compliance.
- Kelly Kissell, Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Justice