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Bill

SB 25-298

Remove Term Homosexuality from Criminal Code

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Amabile and 55 co-sponsors

Removes the term homosexuality from the state Criminal Code, updating statutes to neutral language; affects courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, and agency materials.

Governor Signed
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Bill Summary · SB 25-298

SB 25-298 — Remove Term “Homosexuality” from Criminal Code

Status: Governor signed (May 30, 2025)
Introduced: April 16, 2025

Purpose

The bill's stated purpose is to remove the word “homosexuality” from the state Criminal Code. The intent, as indicated by the title and legislative movement, is to update statutory language that is outdated and stigmatizing and to ensure criminal statutes use neutral, modern terms.

Key provisions (summary)

  • Amends the Criminal Code to eliminate occurrences of the term “homosexuality.”
  • Replaces or deletes statutory references as necessary to preserve the operative effect of the law while removing that specific wording. (The enacted bill text should be consulted for the exact substitutions, deletions, or replacement terms used.)
  • No amendments were made during committee or floor consideration; the bill passed both chambers without change.

Because the bill language is not included here, this summary does not assume additional substantive changes (such as decriminalization of specific conduct, record-expungement provisions, or penalties). The primary change shown by the bill title and legislative history is terminological—editing statutory text to remove the named term.

Who is affected

  • Individuals referenced in criminal statutes that previously used the term “homosexuality” (by virtue of statutory language).
  • Courts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and law enforcement agencies — all will need to reference the updated statutory language.
  • State agencies responsible for maintaining official statutes, forms, training materials, databases, and educational content will need to update materials to reflect the change.

Legislative history & timeline

  • Introduced in the Senate and assigned to Senate Judiciary: 2025-04-16
  • Senate Judiciary referred unamended (consent calendar): 2025-04-21
  • Senate Second Reading passed: 2025-04-24
  • Senate Third Reading passed (no amendments): 2025-04-25
  • Introduced in House and assigned to Judiciary: 2025-04-25
  • House Judiciary referred unamended to Committee of the Whole: 2025-04-30
  • House Second Reading (special order) passed (no amendments): 2025-05-01
  • House Third Reading passed: 2025-05-02
  • Sent to Governor: 2025-05-13 (also signed by presiding officers)
  • Governor signed into law: 2025-05-30

Notes / Next steps for readers

  • Consult the enrolled (final enacted) bill text to see the exact edits and any replacement wording used in statutes.
  • Check the bill’s effective date in the enacted language (or the state’s default effective date rules) to know when statutory updates are operative.
  • Administrative updates (statute compilations, court forms, agency guidance, training materials) will follow; affected entities should review and revise materials accordingly.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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