B05C07D853ED8E9D872589800057C4AC Hearing Summary

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Weissman discussed some calendar updates for the committee, and explained how the day's hearing would progress. Representatives Froelich and Titone, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-188, concerning protections for accessing reproductive health care. Representative Titone explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Froelich provided additional details on the bill and the need for it. Representative Froelich responded to questions regarding the impact of the bill on pregnancy resource centers, and the ability of incarcerated persons to access services under the bill. Discussion returned to the impact of the bill on pregnancy resource centers, and laws in other states that led to the crafting of the bill. Discussion followed regarding the scope of the bill in terms of what types of health care are covered, and the closure of abortion clinics in recent years.

Lizzy Hinkley, representing the Center for Reproductive Rights, testified in support of SB 23-188.

Professor David Cohen, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Hinkley and Mr. Cohen responded to questions regarding potential constitutional issues associated with the application of differing laws among states.

Dr. Catherine Wheeler, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Thomas Perille, representing Democrats for Life of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Brittany Vessely, representing Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in opposition to the bill. Nicole Hunt, representing Focus on the Family, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Tamra Axworthy, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Discussion ensued regarding violence at pregnancy resource centers, and restrictions on abortion in Colorado. Discussion followed regarding attempts to amend SB 23-188 to carve out religious exemptions. Drs. Perille and Wheeler responded to questions regarding certain privileges offered to abortion providers as compared to other health care professionals.

Karen Middleton, representing herself, testified in support of SB 23-188.

Meredith Gleitz, representing One Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Leilah Zahedi-Spung, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Adora Bertero, representing Colorado Women’s Bar Association, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Zahedi-Spung responded to questions regarding standards for abortion providers. Ms. Middleton responded to questions regarding violence at pregnancy centers and abortion clinics. Ms. Gleitz responded to questions regarding abortion care for minors. Dr. Zahedi-Spung responded to questions regarding her medical license in Tennessee. Discussion returned to violence at abortion clinics.

Mrs. Janet Day, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Donna LaBelle, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Kristy Neeley, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Lloyd Benes, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Benes responded to questions regarding recent changes to policies in Europe associated with gender transition, and the rate of detransitioning. Mrs. Neeley responded to questions regarding her testimony. Mr. Benes responded to questions regarding the effect of laws in other states on Colorado's laws in the context of SB 23-188.

Dr. Sarah Peterson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Katherine Riley, representing Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), testified in support of the bill. Shannon Russell, representing Catholics for Choice, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Yasaman Ahmadieh, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Peterson responded to questions regarding her position on the nature of abortion, and the care she provides. Dr. Ahmadieh responded to questions regarding the medical benefits of gender-affirming care, and research on detransitioning. Dr. Ahmadieh responded to questions regarding puberty blocking drugs and hormone therapy.

Jan Cook, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Paul Prentice, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Sabrina Balister, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Cynthia Halverson, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Cook responded to questions regarding the lack of regulation for certain health care providers. Mr. Prentice responded to questions regarding the economic and conscience ramifications of the bill, and the impact of the bill on abortion access. Ms. Balister responded to questions regarding public opinion on abortion.

Maggie Gomez, representing State Innovation Exchange Action, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Isadora Bielsky, representing National Council of Jewish Women, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Kate Coleman-Minahan, representing University of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Erin Reed, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Briana Simmons, representing Soul 2 Soul Sisters, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Russ Cotten, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Tim Northrup, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Pamela Douglas, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Donovan Stevens, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Cotten responded to questions regarding protections afforded to classes of health care workers by SB 23-188.

Melisa Hidalgo-Cuellar, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Jack Teter, representing Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, testified in support of the bill. Barb Cardell, representing Colorado Organizations and Individuals Responding to HIV/AIDS and US Positive Women's Network, testified in support of the bill. Judith Hoechst, representing herself, testified in support of SB 23-188. Discussion ensued regarding Colorado as a "destination" state for abortion, and the use of puberty blockers by transgender people.

Mrs. Erin Meschke, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Scott Horak, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Denise Kmilek, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Tanya Regas, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB 23-188. Celaine Decker, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Chelsea Mynyk, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. John Heimsoth, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mar Galvez, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Loren Hough, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

S Pelecanos, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner Emma Pinter, representing Counties & Commissioners Acting Together (CCAT), testified in support of the bill.

Jennifer White, representing Colorado Fertility Advocates and Bright Futures Families, testified in support of the bill.

Mrs. Sandra Twetten, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ian Rutherford, representing American Solidarity Party, testified in opposition to the bill.

Maren Jacobsen, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Trevor Malloy, representing Pikes Peak Citizens For Life, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Trina Griego, representing Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Anaya Robinson, representing ACLU of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Ashley Blinkhorn, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Leanna Gavin, representing Colorado Women's Bar Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Candace Woods, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Gavin responded to questions regarding the creation of a "safe haven" for certain medical professionals by SB 23-188. Angelique Espinoza, representing Good Business Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Griego responded to questions regarding religious exemptions in SB 23-188. Ms. Gavin responded to questions regarding statutes that provide protections for certain professions. Ms. Espinoza responded to questions regarding the potential impact of the bill on commerce. Discussion ensued regarding the ability to take certain legal actions under the bill.

Mr. Jeff Hunt, representing Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Dolores Mendez, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Lori Goebel, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr Lynda Zamora-Wilson, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jason Knebel, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Amber Moffet, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB 23-188.

Marilyn Gore, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Patricia McKernan, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Giuliana Day, representing Life Decisions, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Day responded to questions regarding the position of the Latino community on abortion.

Mr. Garrett Flicker, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Teresa Zoltanski, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Greg Lopez, representing himself, testified in opposition to SB 23-188. Mrs. Paula Suhr, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Lopez responded to questions regarding his position on protecting people in Colorado from the laws of other states. Ms. Zoltanski responded to questions regarding certain language in the bill concerning patients who have relocated to Colorado. Mr. Lopez responded to questions regarding industries that are protected by laws in Colorado. Discussion returned to the intersection between Colorado law and that of other states.

Sonja Leach, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB 23-188.

Mrs. Sandy Utz, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

No amendments were offered to SB 23-188. Representatives Titone and Froelich provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.