h_hie_2016a_2016-04-07t13:30:23z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/07/2016

01:59 PM -- HB 16-1203



Representative Neville, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1203. The bill requires all abortion clinics in the state to be licensed by the Attorney General by January 1, 2017. Abortion clinics are defined as any non-hospital facility that performs five or more abortions in the first trimester of pregnancy in any month or any abortions in the second or third trimesters. Licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed by the Attorney General for an abortion clinic to legally operate in the state. The bill also requires the Attorney General to conduct an on-site visit to each facility prior to initial licensure or license renewals and to establish procedures for conducting inspections. The Attorney General must also promulgate rules and standards concerning:

• abortion clinic personnel, including that a physician with admitting privileges at an accredited hospital within 30 miles of the clinic be employed by the clinic and present on days when abortions are performed;
• the abortion clinic's physical facilities;
• supplies and equipment standards;
• abortion procedures, including use of anesthesia and vital signs monitoring;
• medical screening and evaluations for each abortion clinic patient;
• minimum recovery room and follow-up care standards;
• minimum incident reporting standards; and
• the treatment of personally identifiable patient information.

The bill establishes two unclassified misdemeanors and civil penalties for any individuals who violate the requirements of the bill. The Attorney General may pursue injunctive relief in the courts against anyone in violation of the terms of the bill. The bill provides related definitions and licensure fees.



02:01 PM



Representative Neville answered questions from committee members.



02:19 PM -- Michael Norton, Colorado Family Action, testified in support of the bill. He provided a written statement (Attachment A) to the committee. Mr. Norton answered questions from committee members.



160407 AttachA.pdf



02:30 PM



Committee discussion with Representative Neville and Mr. Norton ensued.



02:38 PM -- Cristina Aguilar, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Aguilar answered questions from committee members.



02:46 PM -- Dr. Bentley Tate, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Tate answered questions from committee members.



02:59 PM -- Reverend Amanda Henderson, Interfaith Alliance, testified in opposition to the bill. Rev. Henderson answered questions from committee members.



03:04 PM -- Sheryll Bolton, Life Choices, testified on the bill. Ms. Bolton answered questions from committee members.



03:16 PM -- Karen Middleton, NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Middleton answered questions from committee members.



03:34 PM -- Lisa Koets, Life Choices, testified on the bill. Ms. Koets answered questions from committee members.



03:42 PM



Representative Neville answered questions from committee members.



03:45 PM -- Ashley Wheiland, Women's Lobby of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Wheiland answered questions from committee members.



03:48 PM -- Yvonne Williams, Care Net, testified on the bill. Ms. Williams answered questions from committee members.



03:56 PM -- Sara Maeglin, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Maeglin answered questions from committee members.



04:01 PM -- Kim Frodin, representing herself, testified on the bill. Ms. Frodin answered questions from the committee members. Ms. Frodin provided a handout (Attachment B) to the committee.



160407 AttachB.pdf



04:06 PM -- Anna Crawford, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:10 PM -- Christy Rodriquez, Colorado Campaign for Life, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Rodriquez answered questions from committee member.



04:17 PM -- Michael McNeal, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. McNeal responded to questions from the committee.



04:23 PM -- Dr. Thomas Parille, Protect Life Coalition, testified in support of the bill. He provided two handouts (Attachments C and D) to the committee. Dr. Parille responded to questions from the committee.



160407 AttachC.pdf160407 AttachD.pdf



04:48 PM -- Dr. Karen Inger Fedde, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Inger Fedde answered questions from the committee.



04:55 PM -- Cassidy Roderick, Regis Jesuit Students for Life, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Roderick answered questions from the committee.



04:58 PM -- Jay'em Duassam, Regis Jesuit Students for Life, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Duassam answered questions from the committee.



05:03 PM -- Ed Hanks, Colorado Right to Life, testified on the bill. Mr. Hanks answered questions from the committee.



05:16 PM -- Dr. Sarah Hemeida, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Hemeida answered questions from the committee.



05:28 PM -- Sarah Zagorski, Colorado Family Action, testified in support of the bill.



05:34 PM



Representative Klingenschmitt explained amendment L.001 (Attachment E).



160407 AttachE.pdf

05:36 PM



Representative Neville answered questions from the committee. Committee members made comments about the bill.



05:52 PM



Representative Neville made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members made additional comments about the bill.

05:57 PM



The committee adjourned.