Bill > SB959

This bill establishes comprehensive legal protections for medical practitioners, health care institutions, and health care payors who choose not to participate in health care services that conflict with their conscience, which is defined broadly to include ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. The legislation defines key terms such as "discrimination" and provides detailed protections against adverse actions, including employment termination, demotion, denial of privileges, or financial penalties for refusing to participate in health care services that violate their conscience. Medical practitioners and institutions are granted the right to decline involvement in services they find objectionable, with specific provisions preventing professional licensing boards from punishing practitioners for protected speech or expressive activities. The bill mandates that professional licensing boards provide timely notice of complaints and imposes financial penalties for non-compliance, and it also establishes legal remedies for those who experience unlawful interference with their conscience-based rights, including injunctive relief, monetary damages, and attorney fees. Importantly, the bill does not override emergency medical treatment requirements and explicitly allows religious medical institutions to make staffing and operational decisions consistent with their religious beliefs. The legislation is designed to provide robust protections for medical professionals and institutions who wish to opt out of participating in health care services that contradict their personal or institutional ethical standards.

Health and Social Services

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb959&Session=2600