This bill addresses the right of a person to refuse to participate in certain activities relating to a health care service that violates the person's religious beliefs or conscience.
This bill:
- defines terms;
- provides that a health care provider has a right of religious belief or conscience that permits the health care provider to refuse to provide or participate in a health care service that violates the health care provider's religious beliefs or conscience;
- protects a person who exercises the person's right of religious belief or conscience from being held civilly, criminally, or administratively liable for exercising the right;
- requires a health care provider who refuses, under the right of religious belief or conscience, to participate in a health care service, to provide advance notice to the health care institution where the service is provided;
- prohibits discrimination or adverse action against a person in retaliation for the person exercising the person's right of religious belief or conscience;
- provides for certain government entities to investigate and take administrative action against a person regulated by the government entity who violates the provisions of this bill relating to the exercise of the right of religious belief or conscience;
- permits legal action, under certain circumstances, against a person who violates the provisions of this bill relating to the exercise of the right of religious belief or conscience;
- permits a health care provider, on the grounds of religious belief or conscience, to refuse to perform or participate in the disposal of remains from the termination of a pregnancy; and
- makes technical changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 76-7-306
Substitute #1: 58-1-501, 76-7-306
Substitute #2: 58-1-501, 76-7-306
Substitute #3: 58-1-501, 76-7-306
Enrolled: 58-1-501, 76-7-306
Substitute #4: 58-1-501, 76-7-306