HB 1228 Summary

• Health care professionals (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and students in these fields) may refuse to dispense drugs or medical devices if they believe the item would be used to cause abortion, destroy an unborn child, or cause death through assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing.

• A health care professional's refusal to dispense under these circumstances cannot be the basis for damages claims or disciplinary action against the professional, employer, or facility.

• An employer who knowingly or intentionally takes disciplinary, recriminatory, or discriminatory action against a health care professional for such a refusal commits pharmacy discrimination, a Class A misdemeanor (Class D felony for second or subsequent offense).

• Licensing boards may assess fines up to $5,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 for second or subsequent offenses against employers convicted of pharmacy discrimination.

• Effective July 1, 2011.