Colorado’s General Assembly passed legislation Wednesday night in the waning hours of its current session to include restorative justice practices among the options available to the justice system. Participation must be voluntarily chosen.
State Sen. Newell steered restorative justice bill through Colorado Senate.
Senate sponsor Sen. LindaNewell (linda.newell.senate@gmail.com) and House sponsor Rep. Pete Lee (reppete@gmail.com) guided the legislation through multiple votes. The House concurred with the Senate version in a vote late on May 11. HB 11-1032, now goes to Gov. John Hickenlooper for signature.
The bill encourages each school district in the state and the state charter school institute to implement restorative justice practices that each school in the district or each institute charter school can use in its disciplinary program.
The bill also creates the right for a victim to be informed by the district attorney about the availability of restorative justice practices and the possibility of a victim-offender conference.
To contact Gov. Hickenlooper, call (303) 866-2471 or Fax (303) 866-2003. A common perception is that restorative practices can be costly. A call or fax to Gov. Hickenlooper could offer a counterbalance.
Lynn Lee (lynnglee@aol.com), wife of the bill’s House sponsor Rep. Pete Lee, is active in the Pikes Peak Restorative Justice Council. She is the recent recipient of the John Gallagher Restorative Justice Volunteer of the Year Award.
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