Committee advances bill protecting medically accurate counseling and information about reproductive and gender‑affirming care amid debate over religious‑based施設

A committee advanced a bill that would restrict health care entities from disciplining providers who give patients medically accurate information and counseling about reproductive and gender‑affirming health care services, but members spent much of the discussion probing how the law would interact with religious‑based institutional directives and employment contracts.

Under the bill, the prohibitions apply to providers acting in good faith within their scope of practice and in accordance with accepted standards of care. The chair said the wording covers "medically accurate and appropriate information and counseling" supported by current scientific evidence and generally recognized professional standards.

Representative Dauphine, Senator Gordon and others raised concerns about counseling versus neutral information, asking whether the bill could force clinicians to give counsel that conflicts with a religious hospital's ethical directives or employment contracts. Representative Claire Di Stitria likewise said she worried the bill could create he‑said/she‑said disputes about when a provider crossed from giving options into counseling.

Proponents argued the legislation is aimed at keeping the patient at the center of care and protecting providers who, acting in good faith, give comprehensive information about diagnosis, treatment options and alternatives; they said the bill still allows healthcare entities to require providers to comply with network or quality requirements and does not change established standards for patient safety or emergency care.

The committee moved the bill on a roll call; members flagged it for further work and potential clarifications before floor passage.