(Denver, CO) -- House Bill 22-1238 died in committee Monday on a vote of 7-to-4. The legislation would have restricted powers of local health departments along with the Governor to act in prolonged periods enacting health orders.
Testimony included concerns from public health officials. Cara Bradbury is the executive director of Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials, that represents 53 local health agencies. Bradbury said she feels the bill undermines infection control and is dangerous. She said during the pandemic health department officials had to make quick decisions that could have been delayed if the general assembly had to approve their orders and actions.
Representative Patrick Neville stood to say that he would be a yes vote on the bill because the public elected them to make decisions. He said the information placed into their hands of
legislators to require them to make decisions on public policies allows them to truly be a representative democracy.
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