REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EQUITY ACT PASSES COMMITTEE

Legislation will protect the right to an abortion in Colorado

DENVER, CO – The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed the Reproductive Health Equity Act.

“Time and time again GOP politicians have tried to take away abortion rights; it’s not going to happen in Colorado,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Their dystopian vision of our post Roe world would see the government control women's bodies and put politicians in charge of the health care we’re allowed to access. Over 560 abortion restrictions have been introduced in the last year in all but three states, and nineteen states have enacted 106 restrictions, including 12 abortion bans. That’s why we are going to pass the Reproductive Health Equity Act now to protect access to abortion in Colorado.”

"Tonight, we're one step closer to enshrining access to abortion in Colorado law," said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. "Politicians have no place in deciding whether or not someone is ready to be a parent, but that's exactly what's happening in states across the country. In Colorado, we trust patients to make their own choices. With the Reproductive Health Equity Act, we're taking action now to protect the fundamental right to reproductive health care, regardless of what happens at the federal level. We’re committed to keeping abortion safe, legal and protected in Colorado.”

HB22-1279, sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich and Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, would update Colorado’s laws to protect reproductive rights. The bill establishes a fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth, or to have an abortion. The proposed law comes as states across the country propose and enact new bans and restrictions on abortion access. The legislation is supported by: Cobalt, COLOR, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Anti-Defamation League of the Mountain States, the ACLU of Colorado, ONE Colorado, New Era Colorado, Catholics for Choice and dozens of other organizations.

In Texas, Republicans passed legislation banning abortion after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. Republican lawmakers in Missouri have proposed legislation that would allow private lawsuits against individuals who help women obtain an abortion out of state.

Democrats have already defeated three GOP anti-choice bills so far this session.

HB22-1079, sponsored by Representative Williams, was an unconstitutional ban on abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill explicitly directed Colorado to disregard federal law and federal courts and would subject Colorado judges who support access to abortion to impeachment. It would have allowed a private right of action against abortion providers, and potentially patients too.

HB22-1047, sponsored by Representative Neville, would have banned abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill would have also criminalized miscarriages and would have imprisoned providers who perform an abortion.

HB22-1075, sponsored by Representative Luck, would have established a registry to track and surveil abortion patients and providers. It would have created a roadmap for abortion opponents to identify and further threaten abortion patients and providers.