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Second Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB26-1044

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Feb 25, 2026       Location HCR 0112

HB26-1044 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
02:30:38 PM  
The primary bill sponsors, Representatives English and Joseph, introduced House Bill 26-1044 to the House Health and Human Services Committee. This bill establishes several requirements related to maternal health equity, including morbidity investigations and enforcement, a statewide survey, health oversight and reporting, medical professional training requirements, and publicly displayed information.

A handout was provided to the committee (Attachment D).
02:44:08 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

A fiscal memorandum was distributed to the committee (Attachment E).
03:01:18 PM  
Deronn Turner, representing themself, testified to amend the bill. Brizai Gomez Cortes, representing Metro Caring, testified in support of the bill. MiDian Shofner, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Marpessa Allen, representing Mahogany Mothers Circle, testified in support of the bill. Michelle Bucher, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
03:14:28 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
03:18:16 PM  
Stephanie Lewis, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Nikki Swarn, representing Sister-to-Sister, Inc., testified in support of the bill. Elaine Pratt, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Eric Nelson, representing National Action Network Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Jahala Walker, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Detra Duncan, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Portia Terrell, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
03:36:01 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
03:46:22 PM  
Mr. Kelyn Lanier, representing Yorkson Public Affairs, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Kayla Sompel, representing Young Invincibles, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Dawn Fritz, representing Colorado PTA, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Deanyale Dixon, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Tuneishia Harris, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Yarkenda Payne-Diallo, representing Justice for Black Coloradans, testified in support of the bill.
04:01:34 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
04:03:18 PM  

Ms. Shawn Taylor, representing Families Forward Resource Center, testified in a neutral position on the bill. Dr. Lynn VanderWielen, representing Families Forward Resource Center, testified in a neutral position on the bill. Ms. Pam Long, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Anne Keke, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment F).
04:13:33 PM  
Kory Moore Luther, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
04:16:54 PM  
Essey Yirdaw, representing Colorado Hospital Association, testified to amend the bill. Melissa Osse, representing American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), testified in a neutral position on the bill. Meghan MacKillop, representing Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative, testified to amend the bill.
04:23:13 PM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
04:28:43 PM  
Mrs. Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified to amend the bill.
04:31:02 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.001 (Attachment G).
04:32:45 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions regarding L.001.

04:33:30 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment G).
Moved English
Seconded Bradley
Barron
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:33:31 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment H).

04:34:49 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment H).
Moved English
Seconded Feret
Barron
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:34:50 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.003 (Attachment I).

04:35:24 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment I).
Moved English
Seconded Bradley
Barron
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:35:26 PM  
The bill sponsors introduced amendment L.005 (Attachment J).
04:35:45 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions regarding amendment L.005.

04:38:28 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment J).
Moved English
Seconded Lieder
Barron
Bradfield
Bradley
English
Feret
Hamrick
Johnson
McCormick
Rydin
Stewart K.
Woog
Lieder
Gilchrist
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:38:51 PM  
The primary bill sponsors, Representatives English and Joseph, provided closing comments on the bill.
04:44:53 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

04:49:23 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 26-1044, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved English
Seconded Lieder
Barron Yes
Bradfield Yes
Bradley Yes
English Yes
Feret Yes
Hamrick Yes
Johnson Yes
McCormick Yes
Rydin Yes
Stewart K. Yes
Woog Yes
Lieder Yes
Gilchrist Yes
Final YES: 13   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS