SB251 Summary

• Establishes the "Health Care Rights of Conscience Act" allowing health care providers to refuse participation in abortion, human cloning, human embryonic stem cell research, and sterilization services based on religious, moral, or ethical objections if they provide written advance notice.

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

• Prohibits discrimination against health care providers based on conscience objections, including hiring, termination, demotion, wage reduction, denial of privileges, or refusal to license or certify.

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

• Excludes abortion clinics licensed by the State Board of Health from this act's provisions and does not modify existing Alabama abortion regulations.