Live updates: Lawmakers amend transgender rights bill again, labor bill nears full passage ...Middle East

On the penultimate day of the Colorado legislative session, tense policy debates are still winding their way through the House and Senate. Some contentious debates have largely been resolved — or, in the case of an artificial intelligence bill, killed entirely. Our reporters are providing updates on the action in the Capitol.

This story will be updated throughout the day.

11:18 a.m. up The Senate gave initial approval to House Bill 1312 late Monday night, moving forward a much-debated proposal that would add more protections against antitransgender discrimination in state law.

The bill passed after several hours of Republican opposition and filibustering. It now needs a final vote in the Senate, expected today, and then for House sponsors to accept or reject Senate amendments. Assuming none of that holds up the bill, it will move to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk.

The bill broadly would declare that intentionally not referring to a transgender person by their chosen name or their gender identity and expression is discriminatory in contexts like workplaces and school. It would make it easier for people to change their names on marriage certificates and to reflect their gender identity on their driver’s licenses. And it would give students more flexibility in choosing clothing that conforms to their identities in schools with dress codes.

“There was a survey done last summer where we found out from our trans community, especially those in rural areas, what their lived experience was, and the fear they face — how they aren’t recognized, the challenges they face in education and employment,” said Sen. Faith Winter, a Westminster Democrat backing the bill, on Monday.

“We know trans folks are less likely to be employed,” she said. “They’re less likely to be successful in school. They’re more likely to commit suicide. And you know what one of the easiest ways to correct for that is — (to) actually be affirming and recognize them and use their chosen name.”

Most of the bill’s most contentious provisions have been stripped away. Lawmakers previously removed a section that would’ve required family courts to consider a parent’s lack of support for their child’s gender identity, and they’ve repeatedly changed the antidiscrimination language to assuage legal concerns from advocacy groups.

On Monday, they also removed a shield law that would have attempted to protect children in Colorado from other states’ antitransgender laws.

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Those changes have brought large — and skeptical — advocacy organizations back into the fold. One Colorado, a leading LGBTQ+ group, hedged its backing last month over legal concerns that it has not publicly described. But the group has now switched to a full-support position.

Polis has also had concerns. On Monday, spokeswoman Shelby Wieman said the governor “appreciates the work of the bill sponsors and all the advocates involved in the bill’s progression, especially in removing the controversial changes to family law” and that Polis “will review the final version when it reaches his desk.”

Elsewhere today, the House is expected to fully pass Senate Bill 5, a pro-union bill that had been the subject of session-long — and ultimately fruitless — negotiations between labor organizations, Polis and business leaders. Once it passes the House, it will be on a direct line to Polis for a veto showdown.

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