PRIORITIES OF THE 2022 LGBTQ CAUCUS

To promote greater health in our communities, the caucus supported the following bills:

• House Bill 1730 mandates that company health plans include coverage for treatments for infertility and preservation of fertility.
• House Bill 1851 expands the list of providers authorized to terminate a pregnancy. The bill also prohibits the state from penalizing anyone who actually or allegedly consensually aids in the termination of someone’s pregnancy.
• House Bill 1881 creates a new health profession for birth doulas (coaches that provide support during labor, birth, and the postpartum period).
• House Bill 2079 mandates that a managed health care system shall provide coverage without prior authorization for all federal FDA approved HIV antiviral drugs.
• Senate Bill 5129 prohibits peace officers and officers of the Liquor and Cannabis Board from detaining someone under the age of 18 for possessing or purchasing tobacco or vape products. The bill also prohibits officers from seizing those products from someone under the age of 18.
• Senate Bill 5376 requires public schools notify parents or guardians, students, and school employees annually about the services available through the Office of the Education Ombud.
• Senate Bill 5551 mandates Apple Health must cover all FDA approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization.
• Senate Bill 5647 mandates that company health plans include coverage for treatments for infertility and preservation of fertility.
• Senate Bill 5688 modifies reporting requirements for mergers, acquisitions, or contracting affiliations between hospitals, hospital systems, or provider organizations. The bill also requires the attorney general to determine, through a public process, if the transaction would detrimentally affect the continued existence of accessible, affordable health care in the state for at least ten years after the transaction occurs.
• Senate Bill 5883 allows unaccompanied homeless youth to provide informed consent for their own health care, including nonemergency, outpatient, and primary care services.

To promote protections for our communities, the caucus advocated for the following bills:

• House Bill 1202 addresses meaningful civil remedies for persons injured because of police misconduct. This includes allowing for an award of attorney fees in addition to damages and injunctive and declaratory relief.
• House Bill 1735 expands the standard for use of force by peace officers to include taking persons into custody, taking minors into protective custody, and enforcing a court order. Peace officers must use de-escalation tactics when possible.
• House Bill 1756 restricts when solitary confinement is allowed to be used on incarcerated individuals to only include emergency purposes, medical isolation, faculty-wide lockdown, and voluntary solitary confinement.
• House Bill 1956/Senate Bill 5859 exempts sensitive records of current or formerly incarcerated individuals from being disclosed. These include records that disclose identity, health information, LGBTQ+ status, or risk assessment.
• House Bill 1961 waives court name change fees if the person submits an affidavit that states they would be unable to pay the fees due to financial hardship.
• House Bill 2059 clarifies that the statutory duties of real estate brokers apply to all parties and prohibits the delivery of buyer unfair practice letters to the seller of residential real estate.
• Senate Bill 5793 Authorizes stipends and reimbursement for lived experience on boards, commissions, councils, committees, and other similar groups.
• Senate Bill 5929 Adds the LGBTQ commission, Women’s commission, and the Office of Equity onto the legislative executive WorkFirst poverty reduction oversight task force as nonvoting members.

Finally, the caucus is championing funding for the following item, which will provide essential support for the LGBTQ community:

• $500,000 GenPride facility updates