EA1D47AD9E94BD948725850D00721C96 Hearing Summary

Representative Pelton, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1144. The bill creates a Parent's Bill of Rights that prohibits the state or any other government entity from infringing upon the fundamental rights of a parent to direct the upbringing, education, and health care of his or her child without first demonstrating that there is a compelling government interest and no less restrictive manner of doing so. Representative Pelton answered questions from the committee.

Kenly Goonan, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She provided a handout (Attachment A).

Carolyn Martin, Christian Home Educators of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Randi McIntyre, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Amanda Vlasak, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Karla Gonzales Garcia, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, testified in opposition to the bill.

Elizabeth Hinkley, American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Brian Ruocco, Colorado LGBT Bar Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ashly Villa-Ortega, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Katie Adams, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Aliyah Ulrich, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Beth Fisher, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Denice Dirks, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Karen Romano, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Samantha Field, Coalition for Responsible Home Education, testified in opposition to the bill.  She also stated her opposition to House Bill 20-1063.

Anders O'Toole, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Lorena Garcia, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Sarah Carrasco, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Carmen Bontrager, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Holly Calvert, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Audrey Herman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Candace Woods, Inside Out Youth Services, testified in opposition to the bill.

Reverend Selena Wright, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Reverend Nicole Garcia, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Elena Laura, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Kimberly M., representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Andrea Galek, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

DeNae vanWestrienen, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Stephanie James, Colorado Parents for Vaccinated Communities, testified in opposition to the bill.

Emily Adams, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Laura Cutlip, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated her opposition to the other bills on the committee's agenda for the meeting.

Lydia Waligorski, Violence Free Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Laurel Flahive, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Aaron Salt, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Mike Vidales, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Shira Mae Berard, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Evie Hudak, Colorado PTA, testified in opposition to the bill.

Sheri Procter, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Drew Iannuccillo, Colorado Education Association and Trans Educators Network, testified in opposition to the bill, and submitted a written statement for the record (Attachment B).

Reverend Tamara Boynton, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Meredith Martinez, representing hersef, testified in support of the bill.

Renee Howart, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Sheryl Fernandez, Centennial Institute, testified in support of the bill.

Thea Jackson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Karen Langsley, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Zoe West, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated her opposition to the other bills on the committee's agenda for the meeting.

Anastasia Slaton, representing herself, testified on the bill. She also discussed the other bills on the committee's agenda for the meeting.

Samantha Koch, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jessica Kish, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She stated her support for House Bill 20-1063, which was also on the committee's agenda for the meeting.

Taylor Osorio, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Nicole Rogers, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She stated her support for House Bill 20-1063, which was also on the committee's agenda for the meeting.

Elysia Hassebroek Titone, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jami Qussar, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Rebekah Quinlan, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Rachel Ponser, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jessica Eberhart, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Claudette St. Pierre, Freedom From Religion Foundation, testified in opposition to the bill. She discussed the other bills on the committee's agenda for the meeting.

Representative Pelton made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members made comments regarding the bill.

Representative Duran submitted a statement from Envision: You into the record (Attachment C). Committee members further discussed the bill.

Written statements from the following members of the public were submitted for the public record (Attachment D):

• Megan Caruso;
• Desirae Richards;
• Mariah Schreiner; and
• Stacy Trefethen.