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Committee sends "Idaho Bill of Patient Medical Rights" to print; exchange on nondiscrimination language
Summary
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send RS31878, the "Idaho Bill of Patient Medical Rights," to print; the measure would enshrine rights to informed consent and bar administering experimental drugs without written consent.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send RS31878, titled in the presentation as the "Idaho Bill of Patient Medical Rights," to print.
Senator Dan Foreman, R-District 6, described the proposal as codifying patients' rights including the right to informed consent, prohibition of administering experimental drugs without written consent and a prohibition on denying treatment to patients who refuse a vaccine. "This legislation establishes some seminal patient rights including a patient cannot be denied treatment for refusing a vaccine," Foreman said. He said the measure was drafted to "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."
Foreman said the RS directly supports Idaho Code 39-9003 (the Idaho Health Freedom Act) and that the attorney general's office reviewed the bill and, in the sponsor's words, found no constitutional conflict. He also cited Idaho Code 67-1405(15) as an enforcement avenue for the attorney general.
Senator Wintrow asked whether language protecting against discrimination by age in the nondiscrimination clause could also explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity. "Would you be willing to put those back in there?" she asked. Foreman replied, "No I would not." No further committee amendments were taken at the meeting; Senator Lenny moved to send the RS to print, with Senator Ziederfeld seconding the motion. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; the sponsor requested to be recorded in favor.
Next steps: With the RS printed, the proposal will receive a full hearing where committee members said they will examine definitions, scope and potential practical effects. The transcript records the sponsor's assurances that the AG reviewed the proposal; the committee did not receive public testimony during this hearing segment.
