The proposed bill aims to protect the rights of healthcare providers in South Dakota by establishing a framework that safeguards their conscience-based objections to participating in certain medical services. It defines key terms such as "conscience," "healthcare provider," and "medical service," and asserts that providers cannot be compelled to engage in or fund services that conflict with their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. The bill also stipulates that while providers have the right to refuse participation based on conscience, they must still fulfill obligations for services that do not violate their beliefs and cannot decline payments for services they are contractually bound to cover.

Additionally, the bill prohibits discrimination against healthcare providers for exercising their rights under this legislation, including protections for whistleblowing on violations of the law or ethical guidelines. It outlines that state agencies cannot sanction providers for protected speech unless it can be proven that such speech directly harmed a patient. The bill further clarifies that religious healthcare providers can make operational decisions aligned with their beliefs and ensures that the rights established do not conflict with existing federal laws. Lastly, it allows individuals to seek civil action for violations of these protections, ensuring that damages are recoverable and that additional burdens on other providers due to a provider's exercise of conscience rights cannot be used as a defense in legal claims.