Bill Protecting Abortion Rights Passes Colorado Senate, Heads To Governor's Desk
DENVER (CBS4) -- The Reproductive Health Equity Act passed the Colorado State Senate and is now on its way to the governor's desk for his signature.
HB22-1279 saw a lot of support and opposition, leading to nearly 24 hours of debate, before a final state House vote earlier this month.
The bill gives every pregnant person a right to choose to continue their pregnancy or have an abortion. It also states that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights under the laws of Colorado.
With the governor's expected signature, Colorado will join 15 states and Washington D.C. in protecting a woman's legal right to an abortion.
Colorado GOP Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown released the following statement after the vote:
"This is a dark day for the Colorado Democrat Party and any individual who respects the sanctity of life. If Jared Polis decides to sign this extreme abortion bill, he will put Colorado's abortion laws on par with China and North Korea. The Democrats have chosen to spend weeks of this session pushing a barbaric abortion bill, instead of fighting for issues that would help Colorado families. Republicans know every child deserves to be protected in love and in law. We will never stop standing up for life."
The bill is sponsored by House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo), Rep Meg Froelich (D-Littleton), and Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver).
