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Sponsor presents 'Idaho Bill of Patient Medical Rights'; committee sends draft to print after brief exchange on nondiscrimination
Summary
Sen. Dan Foreman presented RS31878 to codify patient rights including informed consent and nondiscrimination; the committee voted to send the RS to print after a short exchange over whether sexual orientation and gender identity would be included in the nondiscrimination clause.
Senator Dan Foreman, District 6, presented RS31878, described in the hearing as creating a new section (proposed Idaho Code §39‑9004) that the sponsor said may be cited as the "Idaho Bill of Patient Medical Rights." Foreman said the measure would establish patient safeguards including a right to informed consent for medications and medical treatments and a prohibition on denying treatment to a patient who refuses a vaccine.
Foreman said the bill would "help ensure fairness of treatment, enhance patient awareness of medical treatment options, and install patient safeguards with respect to requirements for informed consent in the use of experimental drugs." He also said the attorney general's office reviewed the draft and concluded the bill does not conflict with state or U.S. constitutional provisions; he noted the attorney general could seek injunctive action against violators under Idaho Code §67‑1405(15).
During the hearing, Senator Wintrow asked whether the nondiscrimination language in this draft would include sexual orientation and gender identity; Foreman responded directly, "no I would not." Wintrow said she supported sending the RS to print but indicated she would press for inclusion of those protections at a later stage.
Senator Lenny moved to send RS31878 to print; Senator Zietefeld seconded. The committee approved the motion on a voice vote.
Why it matters: The RS would codify specific patient rights and constraints on providers or government actions that could change how consent, treatment refusal and nondiscrimination claims are handled in Idaho. The exchange over whether sexual orientation and gender identity are protected signals an issue likely to reappear at subsequent hearings.
Next steps: RS31878 was sent to print for introduction and will return for a full hearing where committee members indicated they will examine nondiscrimination provisions and other specifics of the draft.
Votes at a glance: Motion to send RS31878 to print — mover: Senator Lenny; second: Senator Zietefeld; outcome: approved (voice vote).
