HB 22-1079

HB 22-1079, titled "Abolishing Abortion in Colorado," is a bill that aims to ban abortion by defining an unborn child as a person with rights from the moment of fertilization. It also overrides any existing laws or court decisions, including those from the U.S. Supreme Court like Roe v. Wade, and requires state enforcement of these new rules. The bill would affect anyone involved in providing or seeking abortions in Colorado. Since it has been signed into law, abortion restrictions outlined in this bill are now enforceable in Colorado, despite potential conflicts with federal laws and court rulings.

Official Summary

The bill defines a "person" to include an unborn child at all stages of gestation, from fertilization to natural death, as it relates to a private right of action and current homicide and assault provisions. The bill declares that any existing state law relating to prenatal homicide or regulating abortion or abortion facilities is superseded to the extent it conflicts or is inconsistent with the provisions of the bill. The bill requires the state to enforce homicide and assault provisions without regard to the opinion of the United States supreme court in Roe v. Wade and other supreme court decisions, past and future. The bill authorizes the state to disregard any federal court decision that purports to enjoin or void this requirement and subjects a Colorado judge to impeachment or removal if the judge purports to enjoin, stay, overrule, or void the requirement. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)