HB159 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Health care providers authorized to decline to perform services that violate their consciences, exceptions, Health Care Rights of Conscience Act

Summary

HB159 creates a Health Care Rights of Conscience Act that lets health care providers refuse to perform or participate in services that violate their conscience, with liability protection and anti-discrimination rules, plus emergency and exemption provisions.

What This Bill Does

It allows a health care provider to decline to perform or participate in health care services that violate their conscience if they object in writing before being asked. It provides immunity from civil, criminal, or administrative liability for such refusals, except in life-threatening emergencies where no other provider is available. It prohibits discrimination against providers who decline and allows injunctive relief and back pay if discrimination occurs. It covers certain services (abortion, cloning, human embryonic stem cell research, sterilization) and includes emergency care requirements and statutory carve-outs related to abortion laws.

Who It Affects

• Health care providers (including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, students, and other personnel) who object in writing to performing certain services.
• Health care institutions, employers, and licensing boards that must not discriminate against objecting providers and may enforce or support the provider’s right to decline.
• Patients or potential patients who seek covered health care services and may experience refusals from objecting providers (emergency care must be provided if no alternative is available).
• Abortion clinics and certain related facilities, which are exempt from this act and not subject to its provisions.

Key Provisions

• A health care provider may decline to participate in a health care service that violates their conscience if they object in writing prior to being asked (object in writing).
• Providers are immune from civil, criminal, or administrative liability for refusals to participate, except when failure to provide care would immediately endanger a patient’s life.
• Discrimination, disqualification, or coercion against providers who decline to participate is unlawful when objections are written in advance.
• Injunctive relief and back pay may be awarded to address violations, including reinstatement to prior positions and costs of the action.
• Definitions establish scope (conscience, health care service, participate, object in writing) and clarify what counts as discrimination and who is protected (including a broad range of health care workers).
• The act excludes abortion clinics from applicability, does not alter existing abortion-related statutes, and includes severability and effective-date provisions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health Care Providers