HB 354 Summary

• Grants health care providers the right to refuse participation in abortion, human cloning, human embryonic stem cell research, and sterilization services if they have filed written objections in advance.

• Provides immunity from civil, criminal, or administrative liability for providers who decline these services, except when refusal would immediately endanger a patient's life.

• Declares discrimination against health care providers unlawful based on their refusal to participate in these services, including hiring, termination, demotion, wage reduction, or denial of privileges.

• Permits court action for injunctive relief, reinstatement to prior position, back pay, and court costs for violations of the act.

• Exempts abortion clinics from the act's provisions and does not affect existing Alabama abortion law under Code of Alabama 1975, Section 6-5-333.