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Senate adopts maternal health equity bill after amendment that replaces a 'statement of rights' with required notice
Summary
The Senate adopted House Bill 1044 on April 2, 2026, including amendment L008 that replaces a proposed statement-of-rights with a required notice to birthing parents and adjusts task-force membership language; sponsors cited stark racial disparities in maternal mortality as rationale.
The Colorado Senate on April 2 adopted House Bill 1044, a package of measures aimed at addressing racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, after approving amendment L008 that replaces a proposed 'statement of rights' with a required notice to birthing parents.
The amendment, described by sponsors as a technical and policy compromise, strikes language that would have created a new, standalone 'statement of rights' for birthing parents and instead requires providers to give a notice explaining how parents can file complaints if they feel mistreated. L008 also revises the 50-member maternal health task-force membership description, removing a line that would have specifically named a 'black maternal health care advocate' and replacing it with language requiring advocates representing populations with worse maternal outcomes.
Senator Exum, the floor sponsor, explained the amendment as responsive to concerns raised by the governor's office and said the change preserves the bill's core goals while addressing constitutional or statutory concerns about creating new guaranteed rights.
Senator Fenberg said the bill strengthens Colorado's response to persistent and unacceptable disparities in maternal health, citing provisions to improve provider training, increase transparency and codify reporting. He said the bill requires the state medical board to consider adding continuing medical education focused on cultural competency and equitable maternity care and directs the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to report every three years on outcomes and equity.
Senator Benavidez highlighted national and state disparities in maternal mortality as the impetus for the bill, citing national figures presented on the floor: "For black mothers ... there's 50.3 deaths [per 100,000 births]," compared with lower rates for other groups, and noted Colorado will begin compiling state-specific data with a first report expected in October 2026. He urged passage to help identify problems and improve care for communities at higher risk.
Amendment L008 and HB1044 were adopted by voice vote and the bill passed on final reading. The bill now awaits any final processing required before becoming law.
The Senate adjourned to a noon recess later in the day.
