The Colorado Senate today gave initial approval to a bill that would require hospitals to educate rape victims about the availability of emergency contraception.
The bill would exempt health-care workers with religious conflicts from having to talk about the issue, but it would require that hospitals – even Catholic institutions – find someone on staff to relay the information.
The proposal is by Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood, who for years has been trying to make emergency contraception available to rape victims. Lawmakers passed her bills in 2005 and 2006 but Republican Gov. Bill Owens vetoed them both times.
Since then, the federal Food and Drug Administration has legalized over the counter sales of emergency contraception. But Boyd wants to make sure all victims are told about its availability when they get rape exams.
Republicans argued against the bill.
“I believe in life, and I believe that life begins at conception,” said Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray.
Boyd argued that emergency contraception – which is a high dose of birth control pills – usually stops ovulation, preventing conception from taking place.
Republican Shawn Mitchell of Broomfield argued that bill legislates doctor-patient relationships.
The full Senate must take one more vote on the bill before sending it to the House.
Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to support the proposal.
