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SB26-018 • 2026

Legal Protections for Dignity of Minors

Beginning July 1, 2026, if a petitioner is under 18 years old at the time of filing a petition seeking to change the petitioner's name, the act requires the court to suppress the record unless the pet

Children Crime Parental Rights
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Sen. C. Kolker, Sen. K. Wallace, Rep. M. Froelich, Rep. L. García, Sen. N. Hinrichsen, Sen. I. Jodeh, Sen. C. Kipp, Sen. M. Weissman, Rep. J. Bacon, Rep. A. Boesenecker, Rep. K. Brown, Rep. S. Camacho, Rep. M. Carter, Rep. M. Duran, Rep. L. Gilchrist, Rep. J. Joseph, Rep. M. Lindsay, Rep. M. Martinez, Rep. K. McCormick, Rep. K. Nguyen, Rep. A. Paschal, Rep. G. Rydin, Rep. E. Sirota, Rep. L. Smith, Rep. T. Story, Rep. B. Titone, Rep. A. Valdez, Rep. E. Velasco, Rep. J. Willford, Rep. S. Woodrow, Rep. Y. Zokaie
Last action
2026-04-20
Official status
Governor Signed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Legal Protections for Dignity of Minors

Beginning July 1, 2026, if a petitioner is under 18 years old at the time of filing a petition seeking to change the petitioner's name, the act requires the court to suppress the record unless the petitioner was previously convicted of a felony.

What This Bill Does

  • Beginning July 1, 2026, if a petitioner is under 18 years old at the time of filing a petition seeking to change the petitioner's name, the act requires the court to suppress the record unless the petitioner was previously convicted of a felony.
  • The act authorizes the court to use the suppressed court record for administrative purposes, but the court is prohibited from publishing the petitioner's name or the petitioner's new name online.
  • A petitioner who is under 18 years old is not required to give public notice of the name change.
  • The act authorizes an individual to access a suppressed court record without a court order if the individual obtains verbal consent from a party to the case and submits an affidavit to the court, upon penalty of perjury, that the individual has obtained the verbal consent.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

S.001

Committee of the Whole

Lost

Plain English: AMENDMENT TO REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SB018_S.001 DATE 2/23/2026 Senator Kirkmeyer moved to amend the Report of the Committee of the Whole to show that the following Kirkmeyer floor amendment, (L.007) to SB26-018, did pass.

  • AMENDMENT TO REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SB018_S.001 DATE 2/23/2026 Senator Kirkmeyer moved to amend the Report of the Committee of the Whole to show that the following Kirkmeyer floor amendment, (L.007) to SB26-018, did pass.
  • Amend the Judiciary Committee Report, dated February 18, 2026, page 1, strike line 4 and substitute "PETITION AND WITH THE CONSENT OF THE PETITIONER'S PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS,".".
  • ** *** ** *** **
L.001

SEN Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: SB018_L.001 SENATE COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE AMENDMENT Committee on Judiciary.

  • SB018_L.001 SENATE COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE AMENDMENT Committee on Judiciary.
  • SB26-018 be amended as follows: 1 Amend printed bill, page 2, line 12, strike "THE" and substitute 2 "NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 13-15-102, THE".
  • 3 Page 3, after line 8 insert: 4 "SECTION 2.
  • In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-15-102, add 5 (3.5) as follows: 6 13-15-102.
L.002

SEN Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: SB018_L.002 SENATE COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE AMENDMENT Committee on Judiciary.

  • SB018_L.002 SENATE COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE AMENDMENT Committee on Judiciary.
  • SB26-018 be amended as follows: 1 Amend printed bill, page 2, line 10, strike "IF A PETITIONER IS UNDER 2 EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD" and substitute "BEGINNING JULY 1, 2026, IF A 3 PETITIONER IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF FILING THE 4 PETITION,".
  • 5 Page 3, after line 3 insert: 6 "(III) NOTWITHSTANDING SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION, IF A 7 PERSON PETITIONS THE COURT TO SUPPRESS A COURT RECORD ASSOCIATED 8 WITH A PETITION TO CHANGE THE PETITIONER'S NAME THAT IS FILED 9 BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, THE COURT SHALL GRANT THE REQUEST AND ORDER 10 THE RECORDS SUPPRESSED.".
  • ** *** ** *** ** LLS: Shelby Ross x4510
L.003

SEN Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: SB018_L.003 SENATE COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE AMENDMENT Committee on Judiciary.

  • SB018_L.003 SENATE COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE AMENDMENT Committee on Judiciary.
  • SB26-018 be amended as follows: 1 Amend printed bill, page 3, line 4, strike "ISSUE AN ORDER AUTHORIZING" 2 and substitute "GRANT".
  • ** *** ** *** ** LLS: Shelby Ross x4510
L.005

SEN Judiciary

Passed [*]

Plain English: SB018_L.005 SENATE COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE AMENDMENT Committee on Judiciary.

  • SB018_L.005 SENATE COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE AMENDMENT Committee on Judiciary.
  • SB26-018 be amended as follows: 1 Amend printed bill, page 3 strike lines 9 through 27.
  • 2 Strike page 4.
  • 3 Page 5, strike lines 1 through 9.
L.006

Second Reading

Passed [**]

Plain English: SB018_L.006 Amendment No.

  • SB018_L.006 Amendment No.
  • ___________ SB26-018 SENATE FLOOR AMENDMENT Second Reading BY SENATOR Wallace 1 Amend the Judiciary Committee Report, dated February 18, 2026, page 2 1, line 8, strike "SUBSECTION (1)" and substitute "SUBSECTION (7)(b)(I)".
  • 3 Amend printed bill, page 2, line 9, after "ORDER" insert "OR AFFIDAVIT".
  • ** *** ** *** ** LLS: Shelby Ross x4510
L.007

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: SB018_L.007 Amendment No.

  • SB018_L.007 Amendment No.
  • ___________ SB26-018 SENATE FLOOR AMENDMENT Second Reading BY SENATOR Frizell 1 Amend the Judiciary Committee Report, dated February 18, 2026, page 2 1, strike line 4, and substitute "PETITION AND WITH THE CONSENT OF THE 3 PETITIONER'S PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS,".".
  • ** *** ** *** ** LLS: Shelby Ross x4510
L.010

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: SB018_L.010 Amendment No.

  • SB018_L.010 Amendment No.
  • ___________ SB26-018 HOUSE FLOOR AMENDMENT Second Reading BY REPRESENTATIVE Richardson 1 Amend reengrossed bill, page 3, strike lines 3 through 7.
  • ** *** ** *** ** LLS: Shelby Ross x4510
L.011

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: SB018_L.011 Amendment No.

  • SB018_L.011 Amendment No.
  • ___________ SB26-018 HOUSE FLOOR AMENDMENT Second Reading BY REPRESENTATIVE Richardson 1 Amend reengrossed bill, page 2, line 14, strike "RECORD." and substitute 2 "RECORD IF THE COURT FINDS THAT THERE IS A SPECIFIC, DOCUMENTED 3 SAFETY RISK TO THE MINOR, SUCH AS DOMESTIC ABUSE, STALKING, HUMAN 4 TRAFFICKING, OR A CREDIBLE THREAT OF HARM.".
  • ** *** ** *** ** LLS: Shelby Ross x4510
L.014

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: SB018_L.014 Amendment No.

  • SB018_L.014 Amendment No.
  • ___________ SB26-018 HOUSE FLOOR AMENDMENT Second Reading BY REPRESENTATIVE Richardson 1 Amend reengrossed bill, page 3, strike lines 21 through 25 and substitute: 2 "SECTION 3.
  • Act subject to petition - effective date.
  • This act 3 takes effect at 12:01 a.m.
L.015

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: SB018_L.015 Amendment No.

  • SB018_L.015 Amendment No.
  • ___________ SB26-018 HOUSE FLOOR AMENDMENT Second Reading BY REPRESENTATIVE Richardson 1 Amend reengrossed bill, page 2, line 19, strike "IF THE NAME" and 2 substitute "IF: 3 (A) THE NAME".
  • 4 Page 3, strike line 2 and substitute "APPLIES; OR 5 (B) THE MINOR WAS ADJUDICATED FOR A MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE 6 INVOLVING A CRIME OF VIOLENCE, THREATS, SEXUAL CONDUCT, DRUG 7 DISTRIBUTION, STALKING, OR WITNESS INTIMIDATION.".
  • ** *** ** *** ** LLS: Shelby Ross x4510
L.018

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: SB018_L.018 Amendment No.

  • SB018_L.018 Amendment No.
  • ___________ SB26-018 HOUSE FLOOR AMENDMENT Second Reading BY REPRESENTATIVE Richardson 1 Amend reengrossed bill, page 2, line 11, strike "JULY 1, 2026," and 2 substitute "JANUARY 1, 2027,".
  • 3 Page 3, line 6, strike "JULY 1, 2026," and substitute "JANUARY 1, 2027,".
  • ** *** ** *** ** LLS: Shelby Ross x4510
L.019

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: SB018_L.019 Amendment No.

  • SB018_L.019 Amendment No.
  • ___________ SB26-018 HOUSE FLOOR AMENDMENT Second Reading BY REPRESENTATIVE Keltie 1 Amend reengrossed bill, page 2, after line 10 insert: 2 "(b) (I) IF A PETITIONER IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD AT THE 3 TIME OF FILING THE PETITION, THE PETITION MUST INCLUDE THE WRITTEN 4 AND NOTARIZED CONSENT OF BOTH PARENTS; EXCEPT THAT THE WRITTEN 5 AND NOTARIZED CONSENT OF ONLY ONE PARENT IS REQUIRED IF THE 6 COURT DETERMINES BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE 7 OTHER PARENT HAS HAD THEIR PARENTAL RIGHTS TERMINATED.".
  • 8 Page 2, line 11, strike "(b) (I)" and substitute "(II)".
  • 9 Renumber succeeding sub-paragraphs accordingly.
L.020

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: SB018_L.020 Amendment No.

  • SB018_L.020 Amendment No.
  • ___________ SB26-018 HOUSE FLOOR AMENDMENT Second Reading BY REPRESENTATIVE Caldwell 1 Amend reengrossed bill, page 2, after line 10 insert: 2 "(b) (I) IF A PETITIONER IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD AT THE 3 TIME OF FILING THE PETITION, THE PETITION MUST INCLUDE THE WRITTEN 4 AND NOTARIZED CONSENT OF BOTH PARENTS; EXCEPT THAT THE WRITTEN 5 AND NOTARIZED CONSENT OF ONLY ONE PARENT IS REQUIRED IF THE 6 COURT DETERMINES BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE 7 OTHER PARENT HAS HAD THEIR PARENTAL RIGHTS TERMINATED.".
  • 8 Page 2, line 11, strike "(b) (I)" and substitute "(II)".
  • 9 Renumber succeeding sub-paragraphs accordingly.
L.021

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: SB018_L.021 Amendment No.

  • SB018_L.021 Amendment No.
  • ___________ SB26-018 HOUSE FLOOR AMENDMENT Second Reading BY REPRESENTATIVE Bottoms 1 Amend reengrossed bill, page 3, after line 19 insert: 2 "SECTION 3.
  • In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 13-15-103 as 3 follows: 4 13-15-103.
  • Religious exemption.
L.022

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: SB018_L.022 Amendment No.

  • SB018_L.022 Amendment No.
  • ___________ SB26-018 HOUSE FLOOR AMENDMENT Second Reading BY REPRESENTATIVE Richardson 1 Amend reengrossed bill, page 3, line 10, strike "A" and substitute "AN 2 ADULT".
  • ** *** ** *** ** LLS: Shelby Ross x4510

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-20 Governor

    Governor Signed

  2. 2026-04-08 Governor

    Sent to the Governor

  3. 2026-04-07 House

    Signed by the Speaker of the House

  4. 2026-04-07 Senate

    Signed by the President of the Senate

  5. 2026-04-02 House

    House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

  6. 2026-04-01 House

    House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

  7. 2026-03-30 House

    House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

  8. 2026-03-25 House

    House Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

  9. 2026-02-25 House

    Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary

  10. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

  11. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

  12. 2026-02-18 Senate

    Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole

  13. 2026-01-14 Senate

    Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary

Official Summary Text

Beginning July 1, 2026, if a petitioner is under 18 years old at the time of filing a petition seeking to change the petitioner's name, the act requires the court to suppress the record unless the petitioner was previously convicted of a felony. The act authorizes the court to use the suppressed court record for administrative purposes, but the court is prohibited from publishing the petitioner's name or the petitioner's new name online. A petitioner who is under 18 years old is not required to give public notice of the name change. The act authorizes an individual to access a suppressed court record without a court order if the individual obtains verbal consent from a party to the case and submits an affidavit to the court, upon penalty of perjury, that the individual has obtained the verbal consent.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)