Bill > SB444

This bill amends the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act to expand protections for healthcare workers' conscience rights and First Amendment freedoms. The bill broadens the definition of "healthcare service" to explicitly include medical research and clarifies that medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, and healthcare payers have the right to decline participation in healthcare services that violate their conscience, without facing civil, criminal, or administrative penalties. The legislation specifically protects workers from being required to facilitate or participate in abortions, assisted suicide, or gender transition procedures, with limited exceptions for emergency medical care. The bill also introduces new provisions protecting healthcare providers from discrimination if they report potential violations or disclose information about problematic medical practices. Additionally, it establishes First Amendment protections for medical practitioners, preventing licensing boards from revoking licenses based on protected speech or association unless clear evidence of direct physical harm can be demonstrated. The bill requires healthcare payers to file annual conscience policies, prohibits undue influence in contract negotiations, and mandates transparency about specific healthcare services required in job positions, ultimately aiming to preserve medical professionals' ability to act in accordance with their personal and religious convictions.

Health and Social Services

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb444&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R