For Immediate Release:
April 4, 2025
For More Information:
Laura K Chapin
Media Communications Director, Cobalt
(303) 954-8416
Laura@cobaltadvocates.org
Legislation Includes Enhanced Data Privacy, Interstate Commerce Protections
Denver –SB 129, Legally Protected Health-Care Activity Protections , part of the Reproductive Care Without Barriers bill package, passed the Colorado State House of Representatives today on a critical second reading vote. It now moves to a final third reading vote. SB 129 passed the Colorado State Senate on February 24.
The bill reinforces Colorado’s reproductive health care shield law, enacted in 2023, to further protect patients and providers of reproductive health care in our state. SB25-129 is sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter and Faith Winter and in the House by Representatives Junie Joseph and Karen McCormick.
“Today’s vote represents another milestone for Colorado as a national leader on abortion access, no matter what challenges we face,” said Cobalt President Karen Middleton. “Colorado voters made their values clear again in 2024 by putting abortion rights in the Colorado Constitution by an overwhelming margin. This bill better ensures patients will be able the care they need and deserve, and health care professionals will be able to offer it, without fear of persecution from anti-abortion extremists in other states.”
Strengthening Colorado’s 2023 shield law remains urgent and critical as patients and providers alike face escalating threats, and even arrest, for accessing care. The provisions of the 2025 bill specifically address enhanced data privacy. For example, if a provider mails medication abortion to a patient, the identity of the provider will remain confidential and list a practice name instead.
Specifically, SB 129 shields patients, providers, and helpers of legally-protected health care from out-of-state criminal and civil threats, including criminal prosecution and imprisonment; extradition; civil lawsuits; court summons, subpoenas, and arrests; interstate investigations, divulging information, or assistance with investigations; and professional de-licensing and other discrimination.
Texas and Alabama are already threatening to go after abortion patients who seek care in other states, as well as those who help them. On March 31, a federal judge ruled that Alabama’s attorney general cannot prosecute people and groups like the Yellowhammer Fund who help Alabama women travel to other states to obtain abortions.
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Cobalt is a grassroots, statewide Colorado organization that advances abortion access and reproductive rights. Our organization began in 1967 when Colorado became the first state to allow safe, legal abortion. Cobalt believes nothing should stand between you and your health decisions, which is why we are dedicated to fighting for systems, structures and policies that protect reproductive rights and guarantee comprehensive, universal access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion.