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Second Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB26-1040

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Feb 4, 2026       Location HCR 0112

HB26-1040 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
02:46:49 PM  
The primary bill sponsor, Representative Froelich, introduced House Bill 26-1040 to the House Health and Human Services Committee. The bill requires individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to receive counseling on the long-term impacts of sterilization and the less intrusive measures available to prevent pregnancy prior to giving consent. This counseling must occur regardless of a person’s competency. If an individual with an IDD does not provide consent, the bill prohibits sterilization against their will, regardless of competency or court order, unless there is an imminent threat to life or health.
02:51:17 PM  
Representative Froelich responded to questions from the committee.
02:52:42 PM  
Chelsea Princell, OLLS, responded to questions from the committee.
02:56:53 PM  
Jack Johnson, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Francesca Maes, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Kelli Nagel, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Molly Kirkham, representing The Arc of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Michael Neil, representing Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Kenneth Maestas, representing The Colorado Cross Disability Coalition (CCDC), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jose Torres-Vega, representing The Arc of Adams County, testified in support of the bill.
03:16:47 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
03:18:52 PM  
Ms. Jeany Rush, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Marcella Schieffelin, representing themself, testified to amend the bill. Dr. Angela Green, representing CO Department of Human Services, testified to amend the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment B).
03:28:31 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
03:33:28 PM  
Representative Froelich introduced Amendment L.001 (Attachment C).
03:35:16 PM  
Representative Froelich introduced Amendment L.002 (Attachment D).
03:38:22 PM  
Representative Froelich responded to questions about the amendments.

Chelsea Princell, OLLS, responded to questions about the amendments.

03:42:48 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment D).
Moved Feret
Seconded Gilchrist
Barron
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Woog
Goldstein
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection

03:43:44 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment C).
Moved Goldstein
Seconded Feret
Barron No
Bradfield No
Bradley No
English Yes
Feret Yes
Hamrick Excused
Johnson No
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Woog No
Goldstein Yes
Gilchrist Yes
YES: 7   NO: 5   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
03:44:07 PM  
Representative Froelich provided closing comments on the bill.
03:45:03 PM  
Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.

03:47:03 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 26-1040, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Feret
Seconded Stewart K.
Barron Yes
Bradfield Yes
Bradley Yes
English Yes
Feret Yes
Hamrick Yes
Johnson No
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Woog Yes
Goldstein Yes
Gilchrist Yes
Final YES: 12   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS