ID H0672

Establishes the Medical Ethics Defense Act as Chapter 13, Title 54, Idaho Code, declaring the right of conscience a fundamental right for health care professionals, institutions, and payers.

Protects health care professionals, institutions, and payers from discrimination, liability, and retaliation for declining to participate in or pay for medical procedures or services that violate their conscience based on religious, moral, or ethical beliefs.

Provides whistleblower protections for health care professionals who report violations of the act to employers, the Attorney General, state agencies, or federal agencies, with penalties of $500 per week if complaints are not provided within 14 days.

Establishes civil remedies allowing affected parties to sue for injunctive relief, actual damages, and reasonable attorney fees for violations, with damages cumulative and not limited by other available remedies.

Repeals Section 18-611, Idaho Code, relating to freedom of conscience for health care professionals, and declares the act effective immediately upon passage and approval.