SB526 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Zeb Little

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Larry MeansBobby DentonT.D. “Ted” LittleKim BenefieldArthur OrrGeorge M. “Marc” KeaheyPhil PooleScott Beason

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Abortions, human embryonic stem cell research, human embryo cloning, euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide, requirement to perform in private or denominational hospital by employees or physicians, prohibited, civil action for damages or reinstatement of employment

Summary

SB526 would prevent private or denominational hospitals and their staff from being forced to provide or participate in abortions, stem cell work, cloning, euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide, and would protect workers who object on ethical or religious grounds, with civil remedies for violations.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits private or denominational hospitals from requiring facilities to be used for abortions, embryonic stem cell research, embryo cloning, euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide. It also protects physicians, employees, and staff who object on ethical, moral, or religious grounds from being forced to perform or participate in these acts. It bars conditioning training, employment, pay, promotion, or privileges on participation, and it allows civil actions for damages or reinstatement if these provisions are violated. It further protects individuals from discrimination or discipline based on their beliefs about these issues.

Who It Affects

• Private or denominational hospitals and their physicians, employees, and staff, who would be constrained from forced use of facilities for the listed acts and protected from discrimination based on beliefs.
• Healthcare workers who object to abortions, stem cell research, embryo cloning, euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide on ethical, moral, or religious grounds, who would be protected from being required to participate and could pursue civil action if rights are violated.

Key Provisions

• No private or denominational hospital shall be required to permit facilities to be used for abortions, abortifacient drugs, human embryonic stem cell research, human embryo cloning, euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide.
• No physician, employee, or staff member shall be required to perform or assist in such acts if they object on ethical, moral, or religious grounds.
• No person shall be required, as a condition of training, employment, pay, promotion, or privileges, to participate in such acts.
• Hospitals or health care entities shall not discriminate against or discipline a person for their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs concerning these acts.
• Civil actions for damages or reinstatement of employment may be brought for violations of these provisions.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Hospitals