HB22-1279 Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) could make Colorado the most radical abortion state in the country. It was introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives on Thursday, March 3. The legislation was immediately calendared for:
Wednesday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m. in House Health and Insurance Committee
The rush to a committee hearing is intended to suppress the voices of millions of Coloradans who oppose the murder of children through abortion.
If enacted, the RHEA will codify the following into state law:
1. Abortion up-to-the moment of birth for any reason, which would permit: • On-demand abortion for the full 40 weeks of a pregnancy; • Abortion based on discrimination of sex, race, or children with disabilities such as Down Syndrome.
2. Remove the requirement that parents of minors be notified if their child receives an abortion;
3. Enshrine in law that “a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent or derivative rights under the laws” of Colorado;
4. Prohibit any regulation of abortion based on concerns regarding the health of the woman or baby.
In 2020, nearly 150,000 Coloradans put Proposition 115 on the ballot, which, if it had passed, would have prohibited abortion after 22-weeks gestation when the child is viable. Yet at the same time, Colorado Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains and other abortion facilities doubled down on making Colorado an “abortion destination” in response to other states passing pro-life laws and the forthcoming Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health U.S. Supreme Court decision, which could overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
Sponsors Rep. Meg Froelich, Sen. Julie Gonzales, and House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar clearly designed HB 1279 to anticipate the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming decision in Dobbs by enacting protections for abortion under Colorado law that expand the current legal status of abortion by designating it as a “fundamental right.”
This HB 1279 violates the fundamental human right to life for millions of pre-born children. And it is out-of-touch with the desires of millions of Colorado voters.
We must demonstrate to Colorado lawmakers that they legislate on behalf of the people — and the people of Colorado do not want to live in the most radical abortion state in the country.
You must testify AGAINST HB 1279 in committee this Wednesday, March 9. And encourage your representatives to VOTE NO on HB 1279.
Sign-up to testify in-person or remotely via Zoom here:
Committee name: House Health & Insurance
Meeting Date & Time: 03/09/22 01:30pm
Hearing Item: House Health & Insurance HB22-1279 (Froelich, Esgar, Gonzales)
