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DENVER, CO - The House advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to make reproductive health care, including abortion, more accessible to Colorado’s college students.
“Despite the Trump administration’s attempts to outlaw abortion entirely, Colorado remains a beacon for safe, legal and protected reproductive health care,” said Rep. Lorena Garíca D-Unincorporated Adams County. “When voters approved Amendment 79, they enshrined the right to an abortion into the Colorado Constitution, and this bill makes sure college students can easily access their constitutionally-protected right to reproductive health care. For college students, their entire lives center around campus, and this bill makes medication abortion accessible through a student health clinic or pharmacy.”
“In a post-Dobbs era where patients and providers navigate a frightening national landscape, Colorado has stepped up to safeguard reproductive health care,” said Rep. Kenny Nguyen, D-Broomfield. “While abortion is legal, it’s not always accessible, and this bill makes it easier for college students to access abortion medication on campus. College students shouldn’t have to go through hoops to receive their constitutionally-protected right to an abortion. This bill streamlines access to medication abortion so college students can receive life-saving care.”
HB26-1335 bill would expand college students’ access to reproductive health care by requiring public and private higher education institutions with student health centers to provide on-site abortion medication services. If the college has an on-campus pharmacy, abortion medication must be available to enrolled students. If the college does not have a pharmacy on campus, health care providers would be required to submit a prescription for abortion medication to a pharmacy or other prescription drug outlet located off campus.
The bill also adds privacy protections by requiring institutions to comply with preexisting personally identifying information maintenance and disclosure protections in state law. The bill exempts higher education institutions from the requirement to stock or dispense abortion medication if doing so would conflict with their religious beliefs or practices.
Colorado Democrats have championed multiple laws to expand and safeguard abortion access in Colorado. This includes legislation to strengthen Colorado's shield laws, protecting patients and providers from hostile out-of-state actions. Last year, Colorado Democrats implemented the will of the voters by enshrining abortion rights into the state constitution.