ID H0059

Health care providers (professionals, institutions, and payers) may refuse to participate in or pay for any medical procedure, treatment, or service that violates their religious, moral, or ethical beliefs

Providers exercising conscience-based objections are protected from discrimination, retaliation, civil liability, criminal liability, and administrative penalties

State licensing boards cannot revoke or threaten licenses based on a provider's First Amendment-protected speech, unless the speech directly caused physical harm to a patient within the preceding 3 years

Whistleblower protections prevent discrimination against providers who report violations of the act or disclose information about legal violations, ethical guideline breaches, or dangers to public health

Aggrieved parties may sue for injunctive relief, actual damages, and attorney's fees; the act does not override federal emergency treatment requirements (EMTALA) or excuse providers from performing essential job functions that cannot be reasonably accommodated