Skip to main content
First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB25-1255

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Mar 4, 2025       Location HCR 0107

HB25-1255 - Postponed Indefinitely
12:49:35 PM  
The committee recessed.
12:51:25 PM  
The committee returned to order. Representative Luck, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 25-1255. The bill allows health care providers to refuse to perform or pay for medical procedures based on their right of conscience. Representative Luck explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Luck responded to questions regarding the scope of the bill in terms of health care professionals covered, and the ability of a professional to act under conscience. Representative Luck responded to further questions regarding the ability of physicians to reject patients under current law. Discussion ensued regarding acting on conscience within the field of medicine, and how the bill facilitates this. Discussion followed regarding the need for the legislation, and conscience issues within various settings.
01:49:58 PM  
Mr. Lavi Payne-Grauch, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. David Schwartz, representing The Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Mariah Guerrero, representing Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, testified in opposition to the bill. Mx. Ollie Glessner, representing Inside Out Youth Services, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Bruce Parker, representing Rocky Mountain Equality, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Kara Allison, representing JEDI Advocacy Council of Greeley, testified in opposition to the bill. Dani Newsom, representing themself, testified in opposition to HB 25-1255.

Discussion ensued regarding the ability to force someone to perform certain medical procedures, and denial of care to certain populations. Discussion followed regarding matters of conscience in medicine, and activities precluded by the bill.
02:37:19 PM  
Mary Dodson read the testimony of Tony Kim in support of HB 25-1255. Deanne Wikler, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. John Mize, representing Americans United for Life, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Catherine Wheeler, representing AAPLOG Action, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding the testimony of Dr. Tony Kim. Dr. Wheeler responded to questions regarding the impact of certain policies on the availability of medical professionals in Colorado, and the scope of the bill in terms of medical procedures. Dr. Wheeler responded to further questions regarding conscience issues for medical professionals in emergency situations.  Discussion followed regarding this issue. Mr. Mize and Dr. Wheeler responded to questions regarding religious exemptions.
03:08:00 PM  
Dr. Thomas Perille, representing Democrats for Life of Colorado and Association of Prolife OB/GYNS Action, testified in support of the bill. Cathy Reeves read the testimony of Maureen West in support of HB 25-1255. Erica Steinmiller-Perdomo, representing Alliance Defending Freedom, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Steinmiller-Perdomo responded to questions regarding First Amendment issues associated with the bill. Dr. Perille responded to questions regarding certain statistics he cited during testimony, and current law with respect to providing care for certain groups. Discussion ensued regarding the latter point, and patient protections in the bill.
03:38:05 PM  
Mr. Bob Reeves, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Tatiana Fernandez, representing.... testified on the bill from an amend position. Brenda Dennis, representing themself, testified on HB 25-1255. Ms. Rush Rush, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Tom Jensen, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Catherine Winchester, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Lauren Castillo, representing Bella health and wellness, testified in support of the bill. Donna LaBelle, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
04:04:05 PM  
Ms. Brittany Vessely, representing Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jody Nickerson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
04:10:19 PM  
Written testimony may be found in Attachment A. No amendments were offered to HB 25-1255. Representative Luck provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.

04:42:42 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1255 to the Committee on Finance.
Moved Soper
Seconded DeGraaf
Armagost Yes
Bacon No
Clifford No
DeGraaf Yes
Espenoza No
Garcia No
Keltie Yes
Soper Yes
Zokaie No
Carter No
Mabrey No
YES: 4   NO: 7   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL

04:43:01 PM
 Motion Postpone House Bill 25-1255 indefinitely using a reversal of the previous roll call. There was no objection to the use of the reverse roll call, therefore, the bill was postponed indefinitely.
Moved Carter
Seconded Bacon
Armagost No
Bacon Yes
Clifford Yes
DeGraaf No
Espenoza Yes
Garcia Yes
Keltie No
Soper No
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS