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Legislative Year: 2024 Change
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Bill Detail: HB24-SAM79

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Title Constitutional Right to Abortion
Status On the 2024 Ballot (09/19/2024)
Bill Subjects
  • Health Care & Health Insurance
House Sponsors
Senate Sponsors
House Committee
Senate Committee
Date Introduced 10/06/2023
Summary

Shall there be a change to the Colorado constitution recognizing the right to abortion, and, in connection therewith, prohibiting the state and local governments from denying, impeding, or discriminating against the exercise of that right, allowing abortion to be a covered service under health insurance plans for Colorado state and local government employees and for enrollees in state and local governmental insurance programs?

AI Summary:

This proposal seems to focus on explicitly recognizing and protecting the right to abortion in the Colorado state constitution. Here's a breakdown of what it would likely entail:

Constitutional Right to Abortion: The proposal would enshrine the right to abortion in the Colorado constitution. This means that access to abortion would be a protected right, limiting the state legislature or local governments' ability to pass laws restricting it.

Prohibiting Government Interference: It would prohibit state and local governments from denying, impeding, or discriminating against individuals seeking to exercise the right to abortion. This could extend to laws, policies, or actions that might limit access to or information about abortion services.

Abortion Coverage for Government Employees and Insurance Programs: The proposal also includes a provision that would allow abortion to be a covered service under health insurance plans provided by the state or local governments. This would apply to government employees as well as enrollees in state and local governmental insurance programs, potentially expanding access to abortion for these groups by ensuring it is part of their healthcare coverage.

Key Considerations:

  • Public Support: The amendment’s success would depend on whether Colorado voters support adding such explicit protections for abortion rights.
  • Current Laws: Colorado already has relatively liberal abortion laws compared to other states, but this change would solidify those rights and make it harder for future legislatures to roll them back.
  • Legal and Political Impact: Such an amendment could serve as a safeguard against future national or state-level changes in abortion laws that might aim to restrict access.

How people view this proposal will depend on their stance on abortion rights, the role of government in regulating healthcare, and the specific provisions of the proposal.

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