HB 18-1225

HB 18-1225, known as the "Protect Human Life At Conception" bill, aims to ban abortion in Colorado by making it a felony to terminate a pregnancy. However, there are exceptions for medical procedures that prevent the death of the pregnant mother and treatments like chemotherapy or removing an ectopic pregnancy if they unintentionally harm the fetus. The bill also ensures that women who undergo such procedures are not penalized, and it does not restrict the use of contraception. Since the status is "signed," this means the bill has been approved by the governor and is now law in Colorado.

Official Summary

The bill prohibits terminating the life of an unborn child and makes a violation a class 1 felony. The following are exceptions to the prohibition: A licensed physician performs a medical procedure designed or intended to prevent the death of a pregnant mother, if the physician makes reasonable medical efforts under the circumstances to preserve both the life of the mother and the life of her unborn child in a manner consistent with conventional medical practice; and A licensed physician provides medical treatment, including chemotherapy and the removal of an ectopic pregnancy, to the mother that results in the accidental or unintentional injury to or death of the unborn child. The pregnant mother upon whom termination of the life of an unborn child is performed or attempted is not subject to a criminal penalty. The sale and use of contraception is not prohibited by the bill. A conviction related to the prohibition of the termination of the life of an unborn child constitutes unprofessional conduct for purposes of physician licensing. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More