Date: 02/26/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-225

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 09-225 to the Committee of the WPASS



03:24 PM -- Senate Bill 09-225

Senator Tochtrop announced that witness testimony on Senate Bill 08-225 would be limited to 20 minutes for proponents and 20 minutes for opponents. Senator Boyd introduced Senate Bill 09-225. The bill defines "contraceptive" or "contraception" as a medically acceptable drug, device, or procedure used to prevent pregnancy. She testified regarding the importance of contraceptive devices. She referenced Amendment 48, which was considered by voters in 2008. Amendment 48 would have defined the term "person" for purposes of three sections of the state constitution. Senator Boyd stated that it was clear to her that the people of Colorado wish to protect contraception and remove it from the debate on abortion. She stated the definition will apply to all statutes. She responded to questions from Senator Mitchell regarding the bill's relationship to Amendment 48. She further responded to questions from Senator Schultheis regarding procedures that may prevent pregnancy. She clarified that the bill does not encompass abortion.

03:32 PM --
Myra Young, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, testified that the bill's definition allows for the incorporation of various forms of contraception. She gave examples of drugs, devices, and procedures that prevent pregnancies. She discussed the definition of pregnancy. She stated that the bill accurately defines contraception and distinguishes between methods and procedures that prevent a pregnancy and those that end a pregnancy. Senator Lundberg discussed the definition of pregnancy offered by witness.

03:37 PM --
Stephanie Begun, representing herself, testified that information about contraceptives was important to her and her husband's decision to start a family. She responded to questions from Senator Mitchell regarding whether she has felt as though she has been barred from accessing contraception in the past.

03:40 PM --
Toni Pannetta, NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She described the health benefits of contraception and testified regarding the importance of information regarding contraception. She stated that 4 in 10 pregnancies in Colorado are unintended. She responded to questions from Senator Mitchell regarding the bill's relationship to Amendment 48 and the barriers to access to contraception.

03:48 PM --
Jacey Montoya, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, testified in support of the bill. She testified that access to birth control allows women to achieve self-sufficiency and plan their lives. She stated that adding a definition of contraceptive to the statutes will bring clarity to the issue, and will help society understand that birth control has a specific purpose.

03:50 PM --
Mary Kobey, representing herself as a member of the Board of Trustees of Planned Parenthood, stated that birth control was basic to her health and that of her family. She stated that increased access to birth control reduces abortion. She asked the committee to support the bill.

03:51 PM --
Malliga Och, representing herself, testified in support of adding a definition of contraception to the statutes. She stated that birth control is important to her overall health. She testified regarding her experiences with scoliosis, describing the medical complications that may occur if she were to become pregnant.

03:55 PM --
Rebecca Messall, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated that the bill is a radical departure from the views of Colorado voters. She stated that many forms of contraception are abortifacients and that Senate Bill 09-225 fails to give women a choice in contraceptive products and fails to inform women that the products have an abortifacient component. Senator Mitchell asked Senator Boyd to comment on the difference between contraceptives that prevent ovulation and those that prevent implantation of embryos, and whether the bill was obscuring the difference between the two. Ms. Messall commented on the availability of disclosure materials for contraception. Senator Boyd and Ms. Messall discussed whether the bill will supersede existing definitions of contraception in the statutes. Senator Carroll and the Ms. Messall discussed the definition of contraception.
BILL:SB09-225
TIME: 04:17:28 PM
MOVED:Boyd
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 09-225 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 5-3 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Carroll M.
Yes
Lundberg
No
Mitchell
No
Morse
Yes
Newell
Yes
Schultheis
No
Tochtrop
Yes
Boyd
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS