Abortion Notification Bill Clears Colorado Senate

DENVER (AP) - A hospital disclosure bill Republicans decry as religious persecution has cleared Colorado's Democratic Senate after two days of fiery debate.

However, the measure faces near-certain defeat in the Republican House.

The measure would require hospitals to notify patients of procedures they won't provide because of moral or religious objection. Such procedures could include abortions or other reproductive health services such as emergency contraception for a rape victim. Hospitals would have to tell patients they have the right to such services elsewhere.

The disclosure requirement passed 20-14 on a party-line vote Wednesday. It now heads to the House, where Republican opposition could defeat the proposal. The Colorado Hospital Association also opposes the disclosure requirement.

LINK: Senate Bill 93

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