View this article online: https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/west/2013/04/11/226757.htm
People wrongly convicted of crimes would eligible for compensation from the state under a bill passed in the Colorado House with near unanimous support.
The bill passed the House on a 60-2 vote Tuesday and now heads to the Senate.
The bill would allow exonerated former prisoners or their survivors up to $70,000 for every year wrongly spent behind bars for a felony conviction. The person would have to be proved innocent, not cleared on legal technicalities or appeals.
The measure also would give the wrongly convicted health insurance, a tuition waiver at state universities and back payments for legal fees and fines.
At least 27 states and the federal government have similar laws.