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House passes bill requiring campus health centers to provide medication abortion services
Summary
The House passed House Bill 13‑35 after more than two hours of debate; the measure requires institutions with student health centers or on‑site pharmacies to offer medication abortion services or facilitate prescriptions, while allowing specified religious exemptions and implementation flexibilities included in the bill text.
The Colorado House on April 24 approved House Bill 13‑35, a bill requiring institutions of higher education that operate student health centers to provide on‑site medication abortion services and for on‑site pharmacies to maintain a stock of abortion medication.
Sponsors Representative Wynne, co‑prime with Representative Garcia, said the bill aims to ensure students can exercise the constitutional right to reproductive health care and to close gaps that make access harder for campus populations. “This bill ensures people can exercise their constitutional right to access reproductive health care,” Wynne said, arguing students often rely on campus health centers for primary and reproductive care.
Opponents focused on costs and institutional autonomy. Representative Flannell and others described the fiscal implications they said colleges could face, including startup costs and ongoing training, and sought carve‑outs for campuses that cannot meet those costs. Representative Bradley argued for stronger exemptions for private and religious institutions; an amendment to allow broad institutional opt‑outs failed on the floor.
Supporters said the fiscal note shows implementation costs would generally be borne by institutions or health‑insurance coverage and that the bill does not require the state to pay for the medication. Representative Garcia noted stakeholder consultations and told colleagues the measure includes narrow religious exemptions and practical implementation provisions to minimize disruption.
The House considered several floor amendments that would have allowed broader institutional opt‑outs or set implementation timelines; those amendments failed. After debate the bill passed on voice vote. The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration.
The bill’s backers said it is intended to reduce delays that can turn a time‑sensitive medical need into a crisis and to bring campus policy in line with the state constitution and prior voter action on reproductive rights. Opponents said they fear added costs for smaller colleges and that the measure should provide greater clarity on financing and operational logistics.
The House concluded debate on HB13‑35 and advanced the bill; sponsors said they will continue stakeholder engagement as it moves to the Senate.
