With lawmakers expected to wrap up the 2022 General Assembly on Wednesday night, we are pleased to report that 7 bills we identified as our legislative priorities this year passed both chambers and are expected to become law.
Our legislative priorities are informed by community leaders and research and polling data conducted every year in partnership with our affiliate organization, Voces Unidas de las Montañas. They are helped by advocacy from lobbyists, from supporters who took the time to sign petitions and write their lawmakers, and from the hundreds of Coloradans who joined us for Latino Advocacy Day in March.
The need for one of our biggest priorities -- The Reproductive Health Equity Act (HB22-1279) -- became evident earlier this month following the leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion that would overturn the abortion protections offered by Roe V. Wade. Thanks in large part to the leadership from our partner COLOR, HB-1279 modernizes Colorado statute to protect reproductive rights as fundamental rights -- meaning people in Colorado can continue to make their own reproductive health choices. It was signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis in April.
Other priority bills that passed both chambers and are expected to become law:
Mobile Home Park Resident Protections (HB22-1287), which updates and strengthens mobile home resident protections by giving more rights and agency to residents in mobile home parks. This addresses some of the concerns that we have heard from our leaders.
Health Benefits For Colorado Children And Pregnant Persons (HB22-1289), which provides health coverage for undocumented pregnant people in Colorado and provides comprehensive public health insurance for all children in Colorado — regardless of immigration status — up to the CHP income-eligibility limit.
In-state Tuition For Colorado High School Graduates or The Val Vigil Act (HB22-1155), which increases the number of undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition through the Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) program.
Small Community-based Nonprofit Grant Program (HB22-1356), which creates an infrastructure grant fund for smaller nonprofits that are providing culturally appropriate and relevant services and resources to families and communities who have historically been underrepresented, underfunded, under-resourced, and continue to struggle with pandemic recovery.
Towing Carrier Nonconsensual Tows (HB22-1314), which evens the playing field between consumers and towing companies by increasing protections for car owners and giving Colorado families back their vehicles even when they can't pay upfront for minor violations in places like apartment complexes and mobile home parks.
Loan Program Resident-owned Communities (SB22-160), which establishes a revolving loan and grant program to provide assistance and financing to mobile home residents seeking to organize and purchase their mobile home parks.
In addition to the above bills, Voces Unidas Action Fund also took a position on the following bills:
Supported HB22-1082, Establish Fair Housing Unit Department Of Law
Supported HB22-1244, Public Protections from Air Toxics
Supported SB22-023, Prohibit Deceptive Tactics in Juvenile Interrogations
Opposed HB22-1047, Protecting Human Life At Conception
Opposed HB22-1075, Induced Termination Of Pregnancy State Registrar
Opposed HB22-1079, Abolishing Abortion In Colorado
Others