2013 Session Highlights
Additional information, including full bill text, is available on the website of the Colorado State General Assembly. Use this link to access Senate Bills from 2013. Use this link to access House Bills from 2013.
Additional information, including full bill text, is available on the website of the Colorado State General Assembly. Use this link to access Senate Bills from 2013. Use this link to access House Bills from 2013.
“As we start to see the economy improve and the
revenues increase, we’ve been able to refill the cuts
from previous years in education, tax credits, and other
areas. Also this year, we have increased funding for
improvements in child protection, health care, and
mental health while reducing where funding is not
needed as much anymore.”
Bills Sponsored by Sen. Newell
CHILD PROTECTION AGENDA
Child abuse reporting hotline and training (HB 13-1271): Colorado ranks 17th highest in the nation for
children experiencing abuse and neglect. This is the first step in creating a statewide child abuse reporting
hotline system, and it provides a consistent standard of competency for those answering calls. By making it
easier for people to call, and with better training of hotline workers, this bill should help prevent child injury
and death.
Strengthening child fatality reviews (SB 13-255): This bill improves the process for analyzing child fatalities
in Colorado to identify potential system improvements in protecting children. For the first time, we will
have statewide consistent best practices of child fatality reviews in order to prevent child deaths.
Drug-endangered child definition (SB 13-278): This bill directs the Substance Abuse Task Force to
recommend a definition of a “drug-endangered child” in the context of child abuse or neglect. This
definition will assist child protection workers, family courts, and mandatory reporters in identifying and
reporting situations that would be applicable.
Youth in foster care and identity theft protection (SB 13-047): Children in foster care are almost three
times more likely to experience identity theft due to the exposure of their records throughout their young
lives. This bill expands protections from my SB 10-120 in 2010 to prevent kids from being victimized again.
Health care for children, relief for parents (SB 13-008): This bill eliminates the waiting period for the Child
Health Plan+ so that parents losing their health insurance will be able to get their children covered
immediately in CHP+. This gives parents relief and saves taxpayer dollars by avoiding emergency room
visits.
PROTECTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
Civil protection orders and domestic orders (HB 13-1259): This bill elevates safety as a primary concern in
domestic relations cases involving children, and streamlines and strengthens the civil protecon order
process. It also adds sexual assault to the definition of domestic violence protection orders.
JUVENILE JUSTICE
Restorative justice (HB 13-1254): This bill expands the restorative justice program in Colorado, with the
goal of keeping children out of the juvenile justice system. Restorative justice emphasizes repairing the
harm to the victim and community caused by criminal acts of juveniles and adults. Victim and offender
participation in restorative justice conferences is completely voluntary and has shown dramatic reductions
in recidivism.
With our new Senate district being so “purple,” I have done my best to continue to listen to all sides of the issues.
Between knowledge gained from your voices, and my study of possible policies, I vote accordingly. Through town halls,
community speaking engagements, and countless conversations with many of you, I have remained committed to serving
Senate District 26 to the best of my ability.
Additional Legislation
Sponsored by Senator Linda Newell
Increasing efficiency and cost savings
HB 13-1079: Over the years, we have had successes and major
failures in our selection and implementation of IT systems, costing us
millions of dollars. HB 1079 establishes the Joint Technology
Committee, creating more effective oversight of our IT systems.
Helping small businesses
HB 13-1208 gives more flexibility to the funding of creative districts
in Colorado, allowing for the small creative businesses to expand.
Creative industries are the 5th largest employment sector in the state
and positively affect the local economies and community cultures.
Easing access to voting
HB 13-1147 creates an avenue for voter registraon at public
colleges. As students of all ages enroll for their classes, they will
now be able to register to vote at the same time.
revenues increase, we’ve been able to refill the cuts
from previous years in education, tax credits, and other
areas. Also this year, we have increased funding for
improvements in child protection, health care, and
mental health while reducing where funding is not
needed as much anymore.”
Bills Sponsored by Sen. Newell
CHILD PROTECTION AGENDA
Child abuse reporting hotline and training (HB 13-1271): Colorado ranks 17th highest in the nation for
children experiencing abuse and neglect. This is the first step in creating a statewide child abuse reporting
hotline system, and it provides a consistent standard of competency for those answering calls. By making it
easier for people to call, and with better training of hotline workers, this bill should help prevent child injury
and death.
Strengthening child fatality reviews (SB 13-255): This bill improves the process for analyzing child fatalities
in Colorado to identify potential system improvements in protecting children. For the first time, we will
have statewide consistent best practices of child fatality reviews in order to prevent child deaths.
Drug-endangered child definition (SB 13-278): This bill directs the Substance Abuse Task Force to
recommend a definition of a “drug-endangered child” in the context of child abuse or neglect. This
definition will assist child protection workers, family courts, and mandatory reporters in identifying and
reporting situations that would be applicable.
Youth in foster care and identity theft protection (SB 13-047): Children in foster care are almost three
times more likely to experience identity theft due to the exposure of their records throughout their young
lives. This bill expands protections from my SB 10-120 in 2010 to prevent kids from being victimized again.
Health care for children, relief for parents (SB 13-008): This bill eliminates the waiting period for the Child
Health Plan+ so that parents losing their health insurance will be able to get their children covered
immediately in CHP+. This gives parents relief and saves taxpayer dollars by avoiding emergency room
visits.
PROTECTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
Civil protection orders and domestic orders (HB 13-1259): This bill elevates safety as a primary concern in
domestic relations cases involving children, and streamlines and strengthens the civil protecon order
process. It also adds sexual assault to the definition of domestic violence protection orders.
JUVENILE JUSTICE
Restorative justice (HB 13-1254): This bill expands the restorative justice program in Colorado, with the
goal of keeping children out of the juvenile justice system. Restorative justice emphasizes repairing the
harm to the victim and community caused by criminal acts of juveniles and adults. Victim and offender
participation in restorative justice conferences is completely voluntary and has shown dramatic reductions
in recidivism.
With our new Senate district being so “purple,” I have done my best to continue to listen to all sides of the issues.
Between knowledge gained from your voices, and my study of possible policies, I vote accordingly. Through town halls,
community speaking engagements, and countless conversations with many of you, I have remained committed to serving
Senate District 26 to the best of my ability.
Additional Legislation
Sponsored by Senator Linda Newell
Increasing efficiency and cost savings
HB 13-1079: Over the years, we have had successes and major
failures in our selection and implementation of IT systems, costing us
millions of dollars. HB 1079 establishes the Joint Technology
Committee, creating more effective oversight of our IT systems.
Helping small businesses
HB 13-1208 gives more flexibility to the funding of creative districts
in Colorado, allowing for the small creative businesses to expand.
Creative industries are the 5th largest employment sector in the state
and positively affect the local economies and community cultures.
Easing access to voting
HB 13-1147 creates an avenue for voter registraon at public
colleges. As students of all ages enroll for their classes, they will
now be able to register to vote at the same time.
