School violence liability bill heads to governor’s desk

(AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
<p>Arapahoe High School students and supporters hold a candle light vigil during a one year remembrance ceremony on Clarity Commons, named for student Claire Davis, who was killed in a school shooting one year earlier, at Arapahoe High School, in Centennial, Colo., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014.</p>
Photo: Arapahoe High School shooting anniversary 2
Arapahoe High students and supporters holding a candle light vigil and watch as 14 white balloons symbolizing the Colo. students killed in school shootings since the 1999 Columbine school massacre are released, during a remembrance ceremony marking one year since the shooting at Arapahoe High School, in Centennial, Colo., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014.

Legislation to make Colorado public schools legally liable for student safety has been approved by the state House after an emotional debate. The bill has already cleared the Senate and appears likely to head to the governor's desk.

If the bill becomes law, Colorado would be among the few states to give express permission for victims to sue schools for negligence.

Colorado currently includes schools among government entities that can't be sued for negligence, a legal standard not all states follow.

The bill is named for Claire Davis, who was killed at Arapahoe High School in 2013. She was shot by a fellow student who then turned the gun on himself.

Lawsuits would be limited to $350,000 per victim or $900,000 per incident.