DENVER-
The Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would allow victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking to withhold their real addresses from public records.
The measure (House Bill 1350) would establish the Address Confidentiality Program in hopes of preventing perpetrators from tracking down their victims. It passed 33-1 and now goes back to the House for consideration of amendments.
Lawmakers said perpetrators can find their victims’ addresses in readily available public records including voter and school registrations, motor vehicle information and tax filings.
The bill would allow victims to obtain a substitute address issued by the secretary of state’s office that can be used as their mailing address. The secretary of state would forward the mail to the real addresses.
If the bill becomes law, Colorado would join 21 other states that have similar programs.
