C.R.S. Section 16-3-303.8
Testing for communicable diseases

  • court order required
  • definitions

(1)

As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)

“Communicable disease” means a disease or infection that is spread from one person to another through the exchange of blood or other bodily fluid and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

(b)

“Emergency medical care provider” has the same meaning as defined in section 18-3-201 (1), C.R.S.

(c)

“Emergency medical service provider” has the same meaning as defined in section 18-3-201 (1.3), C.R.S.

(d)

“Firefighter” has the same meaning as defined in section 18-3-201 (1.5), C.R.S.

(e)

“Peace officer” means any person described in section 16-2.5-101.

(2)

Consent.
Unless a person has admitted that he or she has a communicable disease and provides confirmation of the disease, a law enforcement agency shall ask a person to voluntarily consent to a blood test to determine if the person has a communicable disease if:

(a)

The person committed an assault in the first degree in violation of section 18-3-202, C.R.S.; assault in the second degree in violation of section 18-3-203, C.R.S.; or assault in the third degree in violation of section 18-3-204, C.R.S.; and

(b)

During or as a result of the assault, the person’s blood or other bodily fluid came into contact with any victim of the assault, a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical care provider, or an emergency medical service provider, and there is reason to believe, based on information from a medical professional, the department of public health and environment, or a local health agency, that the victim of the assault, peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or emergency medical service provider is at risk of transmission of a communicable disease.

(3)

Application.

(a)

A court shall order a person to submit blood required for a test for communicable diseases if an affidavit sworn to or affirmed before the judge establishes the following grounds for the order:

(I)

There is probable cause that a person committed the crime of assault in the first degree in violation of section 18-3-202, C.R.S.; assault in the second degree in violation of section 18-3-203, C.R.S.; or assault in the third degree in violation of section 18-3-204, C.R.S.;

(II)

The person has been asked to voluntarily submit to a blood test for a communicable disease and the person has refused; and

(III)

There is probable cause to believe that the person’s blood or other bodily fluid came into contact with any victim of the assault, a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical care provider, or an emergency medical service provider, and there is reason to believe, based on information from a medical professional, the department of public health and environment, or a local health agency, that the victim of the assault, peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or emergency medical service provider is at risk of transmission of a communicable disease.

(b)

The affidavit required by paragraph (a) of this subsection (3) may include sworn testimony reduced to writing and signed under oath by the witness giving the testimony before the issuance of the court order. A copy of the affidavit and a copy of the transcript of testimony taken in support of the request for the court order must be attached to a court order issued pursuant to this section.

(4)

Order.
If the court is satisfied that grounds for the application exist or that there is probable cause to believe that the grounds exist, the court shall issue the court order, which shall:

(a)

Identify the name or description of the individual who is to give the blood;

(b)

Identify the names of any persons making affidavits for issuance of the order;

(c)

Identify the criminal offense concerning which the order has been issued;

(d)

Identify the name of the victim of the assault, peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or emergency medical service provider;

(e)

Include a mandate to the officer to whom the order is directed to detain the person for only such time as is necessary to obtain the blood; and

(f)

Include the typewritten or printed name of the judge issuing the order and his or her signature.

(5)

Execution and return.

(a)

The blood tests must be conducted under medical supervision. A person who appears under an order of appearance issued pursuant to this section shall not be detained longer than is reasonably necessary to obtain the blood unless he or she is arrested for an offense.

(b)

The order may be executed and returned only within thirty-five days after its issuance.

(c)

The officer executing the order shall give a copy of the order to the person upon whom it is served.

(6)

Disclosure of results and confidentiality.

(a)

The results of any test on the blood obtained pursuant to an order issued under this section must be reported to the court or the court’s designee, who shall then disclose the results to any person named in paragraph (d) of subsection (4) of this section who requests the disclosure.

(b)

Except as required by paragraph (a) of this subsection (6), the court shall keep the test results, disclosure of the test results, and any records relating to the test results or the disclosure of the test results confidential.

(7)

Voluntary submission.
If a person described in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of this section voluntarily submits to a test for communicable diseases, the fact of the person’s voluntary submission is admissible in mitigation of sentence if the person is convicted of the charged offense.

Source: Section 16-3-303.8 — Testing for communicable diseases - court order required - definitions, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-16.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

16‑3‑101
Arrest - when and how made
16‑3‑102
Arrest by peace officer
16‑3‑103
Stopping of suspect
16‑3‑104
Arrest by peace officer from another jurisdiction - definitions
16‑3‑105
Release by arresting authority
16‑3‑106
Peace officer may pursue offender
16‑3‑107
Custodial care of prisoner in transit
16‑3‑107.5
Transportation of prisoners - definitions
16‑3‑108
Issuance of arrest warrant without information or complaint
16‑3‑109
Peace officer - authority to make arrest while off duty
16‑3‑110
Peace officers - duties
16‑3‑201
Arrest by a private person
16‑3‑202
Assisting peace officer - arrest - furnishing information - immunity
16‑3‑203
Preventing a crime - reimbursement
16‑3‑301
Search warrants - issuance - grounds - exception - definitions
16‑3‑301.1
Court orders for the production of records - definitions
16‑3‑301.5
Search warrant for firearms possessed by a respondent in an extreme risk protection order
16‑3‑302
Search warrants - municipalities - inspections - grounds
16‑3‑303
Search warrants - application - definition
16‑3‑303.5
Location information - search warrant required - definitions
16‑3‑303.8
Testing for communicable diseases - court order required - definitions
16‑3‑304
Search warrants - contents
16‑3‑305
Search warrants - direction - execution and return - legislative declaration
16‑3‑306
Search warrants - joinder
16‑3‑307
Limiting clause
16‑3‑308
Evidence - admissibility - declaration of purpose - definitions
16‑3‑309
Admissibility of laboratory test results
16‑3‑310
Oral advisement and consent prior to search of a vehicle or a person during a police contact
16‑3‑311
Peace officer incident recordings
16‑3‑312
Warrantless entry of a dwelling
16‑3‑401
Treatment while in custody
16‑3‑402
Right to communicate with attorney and family
16‑3‑403
Right to consult with attorney
16‑3‑404
Duty of officers to admit attorney
16‑3‑405
Strip searches - when authorized or prohibited
16‑3‑406
Custodial interrogation - admissibility - legislative declaration - definition
16‑3‑501
Warrants issued for persons illegally in the country
16‑3‑502
No dismissal of cases against persons illegally in the country
16‑3‑503
Bonds for persons with immigration-related issues
16‑3‑601
Recording custodial interrogations - definitions
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 16-3-303.8’s source at colorado​.gov