FL S1580

Health care providers and health care payors in Florida may opt out of participation in or payment for any health care service based on sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical beliefs, effective July 1, 2023

Providers must give written notice of conscience-based objections to their supervisor or employer and document the objection in the patient's medical file, and must notify patients seeking a specific objected-to service before scheduling an appointment

Discrimination or adverse action—including discharge, demotion, suspension, reduction in salary/benefits, or negative impacts on student advancement—is prohibited against providers who decline to participate in a service based on a conscience-based objection

Health care providers or payors may file complaints with the Attorney General, who may commence civil actions for damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees; the AG is authorized to issue subpoenas and compel testimony during investigations

Licensing boards are prohibited from taking disciplinary action against or denying a license to a practitioner solely for public speech or writing about health care services or public policy, provided the speech is not directed as medical advice to a specific patient and does not otherwise violate law