CT SB00939

Health care entities must adopt written protocols by January 1, 2018 ensuring patients receive information about all legal treatment options and are not harmed by religious objections to certain services.

When a health care entity or practitioner objects to providing a service on religious grounds, they must either provide the service through a willing practitioner at their facility or notify the patient the service will not be provided and offer referrals to other providers.

Health care entities employing more than five practitioners who refuse services on religious grounds must develop and distribute written documentation listing those services to patients, health carriers, the Department of Public Health, and post them on their websites by January 1, 2018.

Health carriers must provide enrollees by February 1, 2018 with lists of network health care entities that refuse certain services on religious grounds and post these lists on their websites.

Health care entities must post notices in conspicuous public locations informing patients of their right to be informed of unavailable services and their right to request referrals to alternative providers.