HB178 Summary

• Grants health care providers, institutions, and payers the right to decline participation in health care services that violate their conscience, including abortion, artificial birth control, assisted reproduction, euthanasia, stem cell research, and physician-assisted suicide.

• Prohibits civil, criminal, or administrative liability and discrimination (including termination, transfer, refusal of staff privileges, or wage reduction) against health care providers who refuse to participate in conscience-violating services.

• Health care institutions must provide consent forms to patients before admission stating they reserve the right to decline services that violate their conscience to avoid liability.

• Establishes civil remedies allowing injured parties to recover three times actual damages plus pain and suffering, with a minimum of $5,000 per violation, plus court costs and attorney's fees; permits injunctive relief including reinstatement to prior job positions.

• Takes effect on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.