2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 12 - Professions and Occupations
Health Care
Article 37.5 - Colorado Parental Notification Act
§ 12-37.5-107. Judicial bypass

(1) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2364, § 8, effective June 3, 2003.)

(2) (a) If any pregnant minor elects not to allow the notification required pursuant to section 12-37.5-104, any judge of a court of competent jurisdiction shall, upon petition filed by or on behalf of such minor, enter an order dispensing with the notice requirements of this article if the judge determines that the giving of such notice will not be in the best interest of the minor, or if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the minor is sufficiently mature to decide whether to have an abortion. Any such order shall include specific factual findings and legal conclusions in support thereof and a certified copy of such order shall be provided to the attending physician of said minor and the provisions of section 12-37.5-104 (1) and section 12-37.5-106 shall not apply to the physician with respect to such minor.

(b) The court, in its discretion, may appoint a guardian ad litem for the minor and also an attorney if said minor is not represented by counsel.

(c) Court proceedings under this subsection (2) shall be confidential and shall be given precedence over other pending matters so that the court may reach a decision promptly without delay in order to serve the best interests of the minor. Court proceedings under this subsection (2) shall be heard and decided as soon as practicable but in no event later than four days after the petition is filed.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an expedited confidential appeal to the court of appeals shall be available to a minor for whom the court denies an order dispensing with the notice requirements of this article. Any such appeal shall be heard and decided no later than five days after the appeal is filed. An order dispensing with the notice requirements of this article shall not be subject to appeal.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the minor is not required to pay a filing fee related to an action or appeal filed pursuant to this subsection (2).

(f) If either the district court or the court of appeals fails to act within the time periods required by this subsection (2), the court in which the proceeding is pending shall immediately issue an order dispensing with the notice requirements of this article.

(g) The Colorado supreme court shall issue rules governing the judicial bypass procedure, including rules that ensure that the confidentiality of minors filing bypass petitions will be protected. The Colorado supreme court shall also promulgate a form petition that may be used to initiate a bypass proceeding. The Colorado supreme court shall promulgate the rules and form governing the judicial bypass procedure by August 1, 2003. Physicians shall not be required to comply with this article until forty-five days after the Colorado supreme court publishes final rules and a final form.