HB 1044: Measures to Improve Black Maternal Health Equity

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The act requires measures to improve equity in maternal health, including:Requiring the Colorado medical board to consider, as part of its stakeholder process for continuing medical education, a requirement that a physician complete continuing medical education on cultural competence and equity in maternal care;Requiring the state board of nursing rules relating to continuing education to include rules relating to health-care provider attention to cultural competence and equity in providing health-care services;Authorizing the department of public health and environment (CDPHE), subject to available appropriations, to provide a health survey to additional birthing parents, beyond those currently surveyed, and to compile the data if surveyed;Requiring a health facility that provides labor and childbirth services to make available to a birthing parent and a birthing parent's companion, electronically or in writing, a statement on respectful labor and childbirth regarding rights and components, including freedom from harm, privacy and confidentiality, informed consent, and allowing a birthing parent to have a birthing companion present at the birth, and to make available information, including telephone contact information, for the appropriate state or federal agency to receive a complaint alleging discrimination in labor and childbirth services;Subject to available federal grant funding for the maternal health task force (task force) established by CDPHE, ensuring that the maternal health task force includes at least one advocate representing populations with the worst maternal mortality outcomes in the state; andBeginning October 1, 2026, with respect to CDPHE's Colorado maternal mortality review committee, changing the reporting to the general assembly every 3 years concerning maternal health outcomes and equity from July to October and requiring the reporting of certain maternal health outcomes for populations known to have the worst maternal mortality outcomes in the state.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 45

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 5, 2026Governor Signed
2. May 1, 2026Signed by the Speaker of the House
3. May 1, 2026Signed by the President of the Senate
4. May 1, 2026Sent to the Governor
5. April 14, 2026House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
6. April 7, 2026House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
7. April 6, 2026Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
8. April 2, 2026Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor
9. April 1, 2026Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 04/02/2026 - No Amendments
10. March 31, 2026Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 04/01/2026 - No Amendments
11. March 26, 2026Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
12. March 6, 2026Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services

Showing 12 most recent of 16 actions. Full history