Signed by Governor Brad Henry

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that allows health care facility employees to refuse to participate in specified activities related to abortion, embryos, developing children, and assisted suicide, and prohibits discrimination against employees for such refusal to participate.

Highlights:

-Allows employees, members, or associates of health care facilities to refuse, in writing, to participate in the following (Sec. 4):

-An abortion, other than which is performed to save the life of the mother; -An experiment or procedure that destroys an in vitro human embryo or uses cells or tissue derived from the destruction of an in vitro human embryo; -An experiment or medical procedure on an in vitro human embryo that is not related to the "beneficial" treatment of the embryo; -An experiment or medical procedure on a developing child in an artificial womb that is not related to the "beneficial" treatment of the developing child; -A procedure, including a transplant procedure, that uses fetal tissue or organs that come from a source other than a stillbirth or miscarriage; or -An act that intentionally causes or assists in causing the death of an individual by assisted suicide, euthanasia, or "mercy killing."

-Specifies that no health care facility is required to admit any patient or allow the use of the facility for the purpose of performing an activity described in the first highlight (Sec 4). -Specifies that any employee, member, or associate of a health care facility is immune from any damage caused by his or her refusal to participate in an activity described in the first highlight on "moral or religious" grounds (Sec. 4) -Prohibits employers from discriminating against an employee or prospective employee by refusing to "reasonably" accommodate the religious observance or practice of the employee or prospective employee with regards to an activity described in the first highlight, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would pose an "undue hardship" on the program, enterprise, or business of the employer (Sec. 3). -Prohibits a health care facility, school, or employer from discriminating against any person with regards to admission, hiring or firing, tenure, term, condition, or privilege of employment, student status, or staff status on the grounds that the person refuses or states an intention to refuse to participate in an activity described in the first highlight (Sec. 5). -Specifies that a person who is "adversely affected" by conduct that is in violation of this Act may bring a civil action for "equitable" relief, including reinstatement or damages, or both (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that allows health care facility employees to refuse to participate in specified activities related to abortion, embryos, developing children, and assisted suicide, and prohibits discrimination against employees for such refusal to participate.

Highlights:

-Allows employees, members, or associates of health care facilities to refuse, in writing, to participate in the following (Sec. 4):

-An abortion, other than which is performed to save the life of the mother; -An experiment or procedure that destroys an in vitro human embryo or uses cells or tissue derived from the destruction of an in vitro human embryo; -An experiment or medical procedure on an in vitro human embryo that is not related to the "beneficial" treatment of the embryo; -An experiment or medical procedure on a developing child in an artificial womb that is not related to the "beneficial" treatment of the developing child; -A procedure, including a transplant procedure, that uses fetal tissue or organs that come from a source other than a stillbirth or miscarriage; or -An act that intentionally causes or assists in causing the death of an individual by assisted suicide, euthanasia, or "mercy killing."

-Specifies that no health care facility is required to admit any patient or allow the use of the facility for the purpose of performing an activity described in the first highlight (Sec 4). -Specifies that any employee, member, or associate of a health care facility is immune from any damage caused by his or her refusal to participate in an activity described in the first highlight on "moral or religious" grounds (Sec. 4) -Prohibits employers from discriminating against an employee or prospective employee by refusing to "reasonably" accommodate the religious observance or practice of the employee or prospective employee with regards to an activity described in the first highlight, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would pose an "undue hardship" on the program, enterprise, or business of the employer (Sec. 3). -Prohibits a health care facility, school, or employer from discriminating against any person with regards to admission, hiring or firing, tenure, term, condition, or privilege of employment, student status, or staff status on the grounds that the person refuses or states an intention to refuse to participate in an activity described in the first highlight (Sec. 5). -Specifies that a person who is "adversely affected" by conduct that is in violation of this Act may bring a civil action for "equitable" relief, including reinstatement or damages, or both (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text