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House passes immunization‑access bill after contentious debate on mandates, liability and parental consent
Summary
Senate Bill 32 — an immunization‑access bill that includes an adult immunization framework and protections for vaccine delivery — passed after floor fights over board authority to recommend adult schedules, liability shields, parental‑consent provisions for minors and a provision affecting naturopathic clinicians.
On March 12 the House passed Senate Bill 32 after extensive debate and multiple floor amendment votes that highlighted deep disagreements over vaccination policy, liability protections and parental rights.
Sponsor Representative Brown said the bill provides an evidence‑based framework for immunization policy and clarifies roles for providers, pharmacies, clinics and hospitals that administer vaccines. "This bill ensures that Colorado has a transparent and evidence‑based framework for immunization policy," Brown said on the floor.
Opponents repeatedly sought amendments to remove language that lets the State Board of Health consider recommendations from federal and specialty bodies and to add explicit parental‑consent requirements for minors receiving certain vaccines (including HPV). Representative Bridal warned that the adult‑immunization language could be used to expand mandates in the future and pressed for protections for parental consent. “We were forced to vaccinate or lose our jobs,” Bridal said, invoking COVID‑era mandates and urging caution.
Another recurring point of contention was liability. Testimony on the bill prompted sponsors to agree to remove manufacturer liability from the state statute; the sponsor said federal liability protections already apply and removing state manufacturer immunity would address concerns raised in committee.
The floor defeated several amendments seeking to increase parental‑notification or consent requirements for pharmacists and minors, and did not adopt amendments to exempt naturopathic or veterinary practice from certain requirements. After the committee report and amendment activity, the House passed the bill as amended.
