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Committee introduces Medical Ethics Defense Act RS31973 to protect conscience rights of health workers
Summary
Representative Bruce Scogg of District 10 presented RS31973, the Medical Ethics Defense Act, to the House Health and Welfare Committee and asked that the RS be printed for further consideration.
Representative Bruce Scogg, who represents District 10 (Star, Middleton, Nampa area), presented RS31973, labeled the Medical Ethics Defense Act, and asked the committee to introduce the RS for a full hearing.
"This is the Medical Ethics Defense Act that protects the conscience rights of healthcare professionals and entities," Representative Bruce Scogg said. He described the measure as protecting providers from being forced to participate in nonemergency procedures that conflict with "sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical beliefs." Scogg said the bill would also protect providers from discrimination when they report violations of law.
Scogg told committee members he expects the RS to be budget neutral. "There is no fiscal impact, always my favorite part of bills," he said, and said the proposal was modeled on laws passed in other states.
Committee members asked clarifying questions. Representative Ekberg asked whether the RS could expose state hospitals to litigation if a private cause of action were allowed against a hospital; Scogg said he could not estimate potential lawsuit costs and noted that other states with similar laws had not experienced large volumes of litigation. Representative McCann asked about the RS's emergency exception; Scogg confirmed the bill covers nonemergency procedures and said the bill requires an employee who objects on conscience grounds to provide that objection in writing to the employer.
Representative Redmond moved to introduce RS31973 for printing and further consideration. The motion carried; the committee did not record opposition on the transcript.
Scogg asked the committee to delay formal placement on the next week's agenda so members could consult with a specialized attorney he will make available and to allow broader stakeholder engagement before a full hearing.
