h_hie_2016a_2016-02-11t13:32:00z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/11/2016

03:34 PM -- HB 16-1113



Representative Humphrey presented House Bill 16-1113. The bill prohibits licensed physicians from performing abortions except:

• when making reasonable medical efforts to preserve both the life of the woman and her unborn child, and an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the woman; or
• when the physician provides medical treatment to a woman that results in the accidental injury or death of the unborn child.

Offenses under the bill are punishable as a class 1 felony, and a conviction constitutes unprofessional conduct for the purposes of physician licensing.



03:51 PM



Representative Humphrey answered questions from the committee. Representative Klingenschmitt provided a handout (Attachment G) to the committee. Committee discussion about the bill ensued.



160211 AttachG.pdf



04:00 PM -- Pastor Jason Walker, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He provided a handout (Attachment H) to the committee. Pastor Walker answered questions from the committee.



160211 AttachH.pdf



04:04 PM



Committee discussion ensued.



04:04 PM -- Pastor Theodore Groth, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Pastor Groth answered questions from the committee. Representative Humphrey responded to questions from the committee and discussion ensued.



04:21 PM



Pastor Groth and Pastor Walker continued to respond to questions from the committee concerning the bill.



04:23 PM -- Connie Weiskopf, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



04:29 PM -- Yvonne Williams, representing Care Net, testified in support of the bill.



04:31 PM



Ms. Weiskopf and Ms. Williams responded to questions from the committee. Representative Klingenschmitt referenced a handout (Attachment I) that he provided to the committee.



160211 AttachI.pdf



04:38 PM -- Stephen Meswarb, American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:40 PM -- Elisa Moran, Anti-Defamation League, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:44 PM



Ms. Moran and Mr. Meswarb answered questions from the committee.



04:49 PM -- Karen Middleton, NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:51 PM -- Reverend Amanda Henderson, The Interfaith Alliance, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:53 PM



Rev. Henderson and Ms. Middleton answered questions from the committee. Representative Joshi commented on House Bill 16-1007, concerning offenses against an unborn child.



05:01 PM



Rev. Henderson and Ms. Middleton answered question from the committee. Representative Humphrey made comments.



05:09 PM -- Ed Hanks, Colorado Right to Life, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Hanks answered questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.



05:20 PM



Mr. Hanks answered questions from the committee.



05:28 PM -- Dr. Emily Schneider, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She provided a handout (Attachment J) to the committee.



160211 AttachJ.pdf



05:31 PM -- Dr. Aaron Lazorwitz, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He provided a handout (Attachment K) to the committee.



160211 AttachK.pdf



05:33 PM



Dr. Schneider and Dr. Lazorwitz answered questions from the committee.



05:42 PM -- Austin Mullins, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Mullins answered questions from the committee.



05:46 PM -- Reverend Greg Garland, United Church of Broomfield, testified in opposition to the bill. Rev. Garland answered questions from the committee.



05:55 PM -- Lisa Koets, representing Life Choices, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Koets answered questions from the committee.



06:04 PM -- Linda Petkash, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Petkash answered questions from the committee.



06:09 PM -- Leslie Chomic, League of Women Voters of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Chomic answered questions from the committee.



06:13 PM -- Rick Theilen, representing Life Choices, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Theilan answered questions from the committee.



06:19 PM -- Sheryll Bolton, representing Life Choices, testified in support of the bill. She provided a handout (Attachment L) to the committee. Ms. Bolton answered questions from the committee.



160211 AttachL.pdf



06:27 PM -- Scott Horak, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Horak answered questions from the committee.



06:35 PM -- Christy Rodriguez, Colorado Citizens for Life, testified in support of the bill. She referenced the large number of petitions supporting the bill she had received. Ms. Rodriguez answered questions from the committee.



06:40 PM



Representative McCann announced that a statement of support from Aaron Robertson (Attachment M) had been distributed to the committee.



160211 AttachM.pdf



06:41 PM



Representative Humphrey made concluding remarks about the bill. The committee members made comments on the bill.



07:05 PM



Representative Humphrey made additional comments about the bill.

07:09 PM



The committee adjourned.