Date: 03/16/2009
Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-225
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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02:25 PM -- Senate Bill 09-225
Representative McGihon presented Senate Bill 09-225, which defines contraceptive or contraception to mean a medically acceptable drug, device, or procedure used to prevent pregnancy. She stated that the statutes lack a clear definition of contraception. She stated that the bill is not about abortion, but aims at separating birth control from the abortion debate. She stated that it is important that women have access to reproductive health care. Representative McGihon spoke to amendment L.004 which adds language to the definition of emergency contraception. The amendment reads, "Nothing in this section shall be construed to amend or alter the definition of 'emergency contraception'" (Attachment D).
02:39 PM -- Samantha Cole, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Cole explained that when women take birth control, the medicine eventually makes it into the water system. She stated that the medicine in the water system is killing fish. She stated she had some concerns regarding the hormones that are dumped into the city's water stream.
02:44 PM -- Dr. Matt Luttrell, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He stated that he does not agree with the statutory definition of pregnancy. He stated that the contraception is actually an abortifacient.
02:49 PM -- Shawna Stierwalt, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.
02:50 PM -- Vivian Cole, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.
02:52 PM -- Rebecca Messall, attorney, spoke in opposition to the bill. Ms. Messall stated that birth control is an abortifacient.
03:01 PM -- Pete and Marguerite Gormley, representing themselves, spoke in opposition to the bill.
03:05 PM
The committee took a brief recess.