Idaho Bills

Adds to existing law to establish the Medical Ethics Defense Act.

The Medical Ethics Defense Act protects the conscience rights of healthcare professionals and healthcare entities. It protects them from being forced to participate in non-emergency procedures that would violate their sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. Healthcare professionals should not be forced to violate their oath to "do no harm." This bill protects healthcare professionals from discrimination when they exercise their rights of conscience. It also enhances patient care by protecting them from discrimination when they report violations of the law or exercise their constitutionally protected free speech rights. The Act is intended to supersede other provisions of Idaho law that are less protective of rights of conscience