3FFF28A62FA27BD08725850B007CB68E Hearing Summary

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Representative Williams, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1098. The bill requires physicians to make a determination of the probable gestational age before performing any abortion.  Under the bill, performing or attempting to perform an abortion after 22 weeks gestational age is a class 1 misdemeanor.  Persons convicted of this offense may only be subject to a fine penalty and not jail time.  Performing a prohibited abortion constitutes unprofessional conduct for the purposes of physician licensing.  A licensed physician found in violation will have his or her license suspended for at least three years.  Abortion after 22 weeks gestational age is not a crime if, in the reasonable medical judgement of the physician, it is necessary to save the life of the mother.  In addition, a woman who has an abortion performed or any person who fills a prescription or provides equipment used during an abortion does not commit an offense under this measure.

Dr. Alan Rastrelli, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Carrie Diehl, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Richard Vigh, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Christina Coffman, Pro-Life Future, testified in support of the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Christina Taylor, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Roy Taylor, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Reverend Eric Banner, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Sarah Kvenne, representing herself, read a statement on behalf of Heidi Treibel in support of the bill.

Deanne Wikler, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Amanda Perreault, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She provided a handout to the committee (Attachment E).

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Betty Boyd, American Association of University Women, testified in opposition to the bill.

Melanie Kesner, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel responded to committee questions.

Rob Rysavy, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Michael Baxter, Regis University, testified in support of the bill.

Anna Keating, Colorado College, testified in support of the bill.

Lauren Castillo, Students for Life Action, testified in support of the bill.

Nina Ball, representing herself, read a statement from Kathryn K in opposition to the bill.

Dr. Kierstan Williams, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dr. Rhonda Pohlman, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dr. Lisa Becker, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Brittany Raymer, Focus on the Family, testified in support of the bill.

Kathleen Houston, Democrats for Life of America - Colorado Chapter, testified in support of the bill.

Elise Neff, Students for Life, testified in support of the bill.

Fawn Bullock, representing herself, read a statement from Erika Christensen in opposition to the bill.

Dr. Kristina Tocce, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, testified in opposition to the bill.

Amy Lynn, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Hannah Wilson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Annie Zeiler, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Kathleen Tate, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Iman Jodeh, Women's Lobby of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Reverend Amanda Henderson, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Rabbi Rachel Kobrin, Congregation Rodef Shalom, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Deborah Grenzke, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Kristi Burton Brown, Colorado Republican Party, testified in support of the bill.

Michael Moubarek, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Amy Brown, Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, testified in opposition to the bill.

Reverend Tamara Boynton, Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, testified in opposition to the bill.

Reverend Wayne Laws, representing himself, testified in opposition of the bill.

Dilpreet Jammu, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Matt Niedzielski, Pikes Peak Citizens for Life, testified in support of the bill.

Maria Lizarraga, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She provided a handout to the committee (Attachment F).

Dr. Thomas Perille, Democrats for Life of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment G).

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Jack Teter, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, testified in opposition to the bill.

Selina Najar, Cobalt, testified in opposition to the bill.

Karla Gonzales Garcia, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, testified in opposition to the bill.

Lizzy Hinkley, American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Giuliana Day, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jeff Hunt, Centennial Institute, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Lisa Van Bramer, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Francisco La Rosa, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Katie Glenn, Americans United for Life, testified in support of the bill.

Monica Hernandez, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Roger Morin, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Williams made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members made comments regarding the bill. Representative Sirota submitted a letter from Erika Christensen into the record (Attachment H).