SF 297: Relating to the protection of religious beliefs and moral convictions of health care providers and health care facilities

What it does

This bill relates to the protection of religious beliefs and moral convictions of health care providers and health care facilities.1 (protection of religious beliefs and moral convictions of health care providers and health care facilities). The bill provides definitions for the purposes of the new Code section, including “health care facility” or “facility”, “health care provider”, “person”, and “religious beliefs and moral convictions”. The bill provides that it is the public policy of the state to protect the religious beliefs and moral convictions of health care providers as a necessary prerequisite to health care providers acting in good faith to fulfill their professional obligation to do no harm.

Senate subcommittee · named January 11, 2024

• Sen. J. Taylor
• Sen. Jason Schultz (R) · jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Janice Weiner (D) · janice.weiner@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 6 for, 14 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Right to Life Committee; Protect My Innocence; Pulse Life Advocates; The Family Leader Foundation; VALOR Iowa

Against: AFSCME Iowa Council 61; American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists; Iowa Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives; Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Iowa Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association; Iowa Nurse Practitioners Society; Iowa Nurses Association; Iowa Primary Care Association; Iowa Psychological Association; and 2 more

In plain words

1. February 15, 2023Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. February 20, 2023Senate subcommittee named: J. Taylor, Schultz and Weiner
3. February 22, 2023Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. March 6, 2023Approved by the Senate committee
5. June 5, 2023Sent to the Senate Judiciary committee
6. January 11, 2024Senate subcommittee named: J. Taylor, Schultz and Weiner