This week, lawmakers introduced a bill that would prohibit investigators and evaluators in a proceeding involving parental responsibilities allocation from including information based on theories that are not evidence-based or peer-reviewed in a report to the court.
The bill also would require investigators and evaluators to adhere to certain interviewing and forensic reporting standards and to include all information obtained concerning domestic violence and child abuse.
Another bill introduced this week would prohibit knowingly leaving a firearm in an unattended vehicle unless it’s stored in a concealed and locked hard-sided container. Violations would be punishable by a maximum $500 fine.
Bill Number: HB24-1337
Title: Real Property Owner Unit Association Collections
Introduced: Feb. 27
Sponsors: I. Jodeh, J. Bacon
Summary: In common interest communities for real property, current law allows a unit owners’ association to require a unit owner to reimburse it for various costs if the owner fails to pay for money owed without starting a legal proceeding. The bill limits the reimbursement amount to 50% of the original money owed.
Bill Number: HB24-1338
Title: Cumulative Impacts & Environmental Justice
Introduced: Feb. 27
Sponsors: M. Rutinel, E. Velasco, D. Michaelson Jenet
Summary: House Bill 21-1266 authorized the creation of the environmental justice action task force to develop recommendations for measures to achieve environmental justice in the state. The task force completed its work and published a final report on Nov. 14, 2022, which included a recommendation for the development of environmental equity and cumulative impact analyses in the state. The bill creates the Office of Environmental Justice in the Department of Public Health and Environment and requires it to complete at least two EECIAs.
Bill Number: HB24-1342
Title: Test Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
Introduced: Feb. 27
Sponsors: M. Soper, J. Bacon
Summary: The bill requires a testing entity to grant an individual’s request for a testing accommodation on a licensing exam without requiring them to undergo a diagnostic exam or psychological assessment if they are requesting the same testing accommodation they previously received on a similar standardized exam or high-stakes test. The bill also allows an individual who is adversely affected or aggrieved by a testing entity’s decision regarding the request for a testing accommodation to bring a civil action against the testing entity.
Bill Number: HB24-1348
Title: Secure Firearm Storage in a Vehicle
Introduced: Feb. 28
Sponsors: E. Velasco, L. Garcia, S. Jaquez Lewis, R. Fields
Summary: The bill prohibits knowingly leaving a firearm in an unattended vehicle unless the firearm is stored in a locked hard-sided container that is not left in plain view or that is in the locked trunk of the vehicle. Unsafe storage of a firearm in a vehicle is a civil infraction, punishable by a maximum $500 fine.
Bill Number: HB24-1349
Title: Firearms & Ammunition Excise Tax
Introduced: Feb. 28
Sponsors: M. Duran
Summary: Subject to voter approval at the November 2024 general election, beginning April 1, 2025, the bill levies an excise tax on firearms dealers, firearms manufacturers and ammunition vendors at the rate of 11% of the gross taxable sales from the retail sale of any firearm, firearm precursor part or ammunition in this state and allows the state to collect and spend all revenue generated by the tax notwithstanding any other existing limitations. Such retail sales to peace officers and law enforcement agencies are exempt.
Bill Number: HB24-1350
Title: Parental Responsibilities Proceedings Child Safety
Introduced: Feb. 28
Sponsors: M. Froelich, T. Story, F. Winter
Summary: Under current law, a court may appoint a child and family investigator to investigate and report to the court relevant factors for determining the best interest of a child or youth in a proceeding involving parental responsibilities allocation. Similarly, under current law, a court may appoint a parental responsibilities evaluator to evaluate and report to the court concerning disputed issues relating to the parental responsibilities allocation. The bill prohibits investigators and evaluators from including information based on theories that are not evidence-based or peer-reviewed in a report to the court, requires investigators and evaluators to provide options for the court to consider, requires investigators and evaluators to adhere to certain interviewing and forensic reporting standards and requires investigators and evaluators to include all information obtained concerning domestic violence and child abuse.
Law Week’s legislative tracking is done through State Bill, a product of our publisher, Circuit Media.