HB577 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Alvin HolmesJohn W. RogersElaine BeechRod ScottLawrence McAdoryGeorge “Tootie” BandyNapoleon BracyBerry ForteDarrio MeltonDexter GrimsleyJoe HubbardPatricia ToddBarbara Bigsby BoydDemetrius C. NewtonRalph HowardThad McClammyOliver RobinsonYvonne KennedyMarcel BlackJames E. BuskeyMary MooreMerika ColemanJuandalynn Givan

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Health care, licensed physician or health care provider, allowed to refuse to perform unnecessary medical services or services that could harm patient, Right to Professional Medical Judgment Act

Summary

The bill would let licensed doctors or health care providers refuse to perform medical services that are not medically necessary or could harm a patient, if the patient does not want them.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes licensed physicians and health care providers to refuse non-medically-necessary services or those that could harm a patient when the patient does not desire the service. It prohibits state or local regulators from forcing providers to perform such services. It asserts that the provider’s right to practice within their license supersedes existing or future laws. It becomes effective immediately after passage and the governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Licensed physicians and health care providers in Alabama would be allowed to refuse certain medical services without facing forced duties from regulators.
• Patients who do not desire a medical service would be protected from being compelled to receive that service.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the act name: Right to Professional Medical Judgment Act.
• Allows a licensed physician or health care provider to refuse non-medically-necessary services or those that could harm a patient when the patient does not desire the service.
• Prohibits state or local regulatory authorities from forcing the provider to perform such services and states that the provider's right to practice within their license supersedes existing or future laws.
• Effective immediately after passage and governor's 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

Health Care