This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol 暗黑爆料 Alliance. It first appeared at .
Legislation that would further limit when a sexual assault victim鈥檚 sexual history could be discussed in Colorado courtrooms is headed to the governor鈥檚 desk to be signed into law.
is set to eliminate an exemption allowing courtroom discussion of a sexual assault victim鈥檚 previous sexual activity when the defendant had been a partner. State law already prohibits other discussion of a sexual assault victim鈥檚 previous sexual activity in court.
The only asterisk would be when previous sexual contact between a victim and defendant is used to explain that the former partner is not the source or origin of semen or any other similar evidence of sexual activity that resulted from a sexual assault. And that evidence could only be discussed in court after it is reviewed in private by a judge.
House Bill 1138 would also make a sexual assault victim鈥檚 hairstyle, manner of speech, lifestyle and clothing inadmissible in court as evidence of consent, credibility or harm.
The Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan measure Friday. It passed the House in February on a 40-2 vote.
Gov. Jared Polis is expected to sign the legislation.
Its lead sponsors are Sen. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada; Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton; Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs; and House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs.
鈥淭his legislation ensures that survivors of sexual violence are treated with dignity and fairness in civil court,鈥� Daugherty said in a written statement. 鈥淪urvivors who bravely come forward deserve to know that irrelevant details 鈥� like their clothing, hair style, or past sexual history 鈥� will not be used against them.鈥�
The legislation would take effect in July if it鈥檚 signed, though it would only apply to sexual assaults that happen after it goes into effect.