Senate panel advances bill to codify vaccine guidance, expand pharmacy authority and provide limited liability protections

Senate Bill 32, a broad update to Colorado’s immunization authorities and practices, cleared the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on a 6–3 vote and will proceed to the Committee of the Whole. Sponsors said the bill modernizes state law so Colorado can rely on evidence‑based guidance from multiple professional organizations and preserve access if federal guidance shifts.

Senator Doherty, the bill’s sponsor, said SB 32 “modernizes Colorado law to safeguard access to safe evidence based vaccines, strengthens our immunization workforce, and ensures consistent guidance across all care settings.” Co‑sponsor Senator Malicka/Malika (as announced in the hearing) highlighted that the bill ‘‘does not create new vaccine mandates’’ and said it codifies language first used during an executive order to preserve pharmacist authority to prescribe and administer vaccines.

Proponent testimony included physicians and public‑health leaders: Dr. Edwin Asturias (Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Children’s Campaign) warned of falling vaccination rates and recent severe flu seasons; Dr. David Keller (Children’s Hospital Colorado, AAP Colorado chapter) said codifying trusted guidance will keep vaccines accessible and help providers and state agencies plan purchases and outreach.

Pharmacy leaders told the committee pharmacies already deliver most adult vaccines and urged the committee to preserve that access. Emily Zadvorny, CEO of the Colorado Pharmacist Society, said pharmacies administered about 1,700,000 vaccines in Colorado last year and described pharmacists as trained immunizers.

Opponents and many public commenters concentrated on the bill’s liability provisions, arguing those provisions shield manufacturers, providers and pharmacies and could deny injured people effective remedies. Multiple witnesses described personal or family accounts they attributed to vaccine injury and asked legislators to reject liability limits. “This bill removes any chance of compensation for such damages,” said Nancy Eason of Fort Collins. Other commenters raised constitutional concerns about bartering away access to state courts.

Sponsors offered a package of technical amendments (L1–L2), which the committee adopted: L1 clarified definitions and harmonized references to professional schedules; L2 allowed but did not require the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to purchase a full range of vaccines. In closing, sponsors emphasized the bill is intended to protect access, maintain exemptions, and tie liability protections to compliance with state board of health guidance; they said accountability remains for fraud, negligence and misconduct.

The committee approved SB 32 as amended by a recorded voice/roll call and the clerk announced passage to Committee of the Whole, 6–3.

Next steps: SB 32 proceeds to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration and possible amendment.