House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes to enact R.S. 40:1300.81, which grants healthcare institutions, healthcare payors, and licensed healthcare professionals the right to refuse to provide healthcare services based on ethical, moral, or religious objections. The bill defines key terms such as "conscience," "adverse action," and "discrimination," and establishes that those exercising their conscience rights will not face discrimination or adverse actions from employers or licensing boards. It also clarifies that healthcare payors cannot deny payment for services if they are contractually obligated to do so, even if a healthcare professional or institution refuses to participate based on conscience.

Additionally, the bill ensures that healthcare institutions are not liable for the conscience-based decisions of their employed professionals and prohibits adverse actions against healthcare professionals for providing lawful treatments with informed patient consent. It allows religion-based healthcare entities to make staffing and operational decisions consistent with their religious beliefs while maintaining compliance with federal emergency service requirements. The legislation also protects healthcare professionals from disciplinary actions solely for expressing professional opinions, provided those opinions do not constitute fraud or gross negligence, and mandates that licensing boards offer notice and an opportunity to respond before imposing any disciplinary measures.