HB 1461 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 for abortion, destroying an unborn child, or assisted suicide/euthanasia/mercy killing.

• A health care professional's refusal cannot be the basis for damages claims or disciplinary, retaliatory, or discriminatory action against the professional.

• Employers who knowingly or intentionally take disciplinary, retaliatory, or discriminatory action against a health care professional for such refusal commit health care professional discrimination, a Class A misdemeanor (Class D felony for second or subsequent offense).

• Licensing boards may assess fines of up to $5,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 for subsequent offenses against employers convicted of health care professional discrimination under this section.

• Effective date: July 1, 2013.