Senate Bill 26-012 Introduced

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning compensable losses under the "Colorado Crime

• Page 1, Line 102Victim Compensation Act" for enrolled members of a

• Page 1, Line 103federally recognized tribe.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)

The bill allows eligible enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe to receive compensation for traditional Native American healing ceremonies and practices and related expenses under the "Colorado Crime Victim Compensation Act".

• Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-4.1-109, amend

• Page 2, Line 3(1)(i), (1)(k), and (1)(l); and add (1)(m) as follows:

• Page 2, Line 424-4.1-109.  Losses compensable.

• Page 2, Line 5(1)  Losses compensable under this part 1 resulting from death of

• Page 2, Line 6or injury to a victim include:

• Page 2, Line 7(i)  Reasonable travel expenses for a victim related to funeral,

• Page 2, Line 8burial, medical care, or mental health counseling, or traditional

• Page 2, Line 9Native American healing ceremonies as described in subsection

• Page 2, Line 10(1)(m) of this section;

• Page 2, Line 11(k)  Dependent care services; and

• Page 2, Line 12(l)  Reasonable relocation expenses for a victim to relocate as

• Page 2, Line 13necessary to ensure the victim's safety; and

• Page 2, Line 14(m)  Expenses for traditional Native American healing

• Page 2, Line 15ceremonies and practices for enrolled members of a federally

• Page 2, Line 16recognized tribe, including:

• Page 2, Line 17(I)  Traditional counseling and healing from an elder or

• Page 2, Line 18spiritual healer;

• Page 2, Line 19(II)  Sweat lodge and smudging ceremonies;

• Page 2, Line 20(III)  Ceremonial burials, including clothing for the

• Page 2, Line 21deceased, meals, and other expenses related to traditional

• Page 2, Line 22giveaway or gifting practices;

• Page 2, Line 23(IV)  Child care during burial ceremonies; and

• Page 2, Line 24(V)  Reimbursement for gifts to individuals who perform

• Page 2, Line 25ceremonial services.

• Page 2, Line 26SECTION 2.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act

• Page 3, Line 1takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the

• Page 3, Line 2ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August

• Page 3, Line 312, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a

• Page 3, Line 4referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the

• Page 3, Line 5state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act

• Page 3, Line 6within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect

• Page 3, Line 7unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in

• Page 3, Line 8November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the

• Page 3, Line 9official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.