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February 2, 2024 SCR 24-001
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
Fiscal Note
Drafting Number:
Prime Sponsors:
LLS 24-0072
Sen. Danielson; Fields
Rep. Duran; Weissman
Date:
Bill Status:
Fiscal Analyst:
February 2, 2024
Senate Judiciary
John Armstrong | 303-866-6289
john.armstrong@coleg.gov
Bill Topic: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ACCOUNTABILITY AMENDMENT
Summary of
Fiscal Impact:
☐ State Revenue
☒ State Expenditure
☐ State Transfer
☐ TABOR Refund
☐ Local Government
☐ Statutory Public Entity
The resolution refers to the 2024 general election ballot a measure amending the
state constitution which would allow the General Assembly to pass a law that is
retrospective. The bill will increase state expenditures in FY 2024-25 only.
Appropriation
Summary:
No appropriation is required.
Fiscal Note
Status:
The fiscal note reflects the introduced resolution.
Summary of Legislation
This concurrent resolution refers a ballot measure to voters at the November 2024 election. If
approved, the measure would allow the General Assembly to pass a retrospective law allowing
victims of sexual abuse that occurred while the victim was a minor to bring a civil claim for their
abuse. The measure would also allow the General Assembly to retrospectively waive
governmental immunity for a child sexual abuse civil claim.
Background
The Colorado Constitution currently does not allow the General Assembly to pass a law that is
retrospective, meaning a law that changes a persons’ rights in the past. The General Assembly
enacted Senate Bill 21-088, which allowed a victim of child sexual abuse to bring forward a claim
beyond the current statute of limitations. Because this law was retrospective, the Colorado
Supreme Court deemed it unconstitutional.
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February 2, 2024 SCR 24-001
State Expenditures
This resolution includes a referred measure that will appear before voters at the November 2024
general election. While no additional appropriation is required, certain election costs are
incurred by the state when ballot measures are referred. These include reimbursing counties for
certain election costs; publishing the text and title of the measure in newspapers across the
state; and preparing and mailing the ballot information booklet.
This fiscal note does not address costs to the state from allowing additional claims regarding
child sexual abuse or from waiving governmental immunity for these claims, as this resolution
only authorizes the General Assembly to enact legislation on these matters in the future if the
referred measure is approved by voters. It does not immediately impact the ability of an
individual to pursue such a claim. Any such costs would be addressed in a future fiscal note
should the referred measure pass and the General Assembly consider legislation on the topic.
Effective Date
The resolution takes effect upon enactment from the General Assembly.
State and Local Government Contacts
Denver County Courts Judicial Personnel
The revenue and expenditure impacts in this fiscal note represent changes from current law under the bill for each
fiscal year. For additional information about fiscal notes, please visit the General Assembly website.