Relating to protections for medical practitioners and health care institutions, including those related to the exercise of conscience, whistleblower activities, and free speech, and providing penalties

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedFebruary 5, 2025
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 6, 2025
3. ✓
   Done: House committeeFebruary 20, 2025
4. ✓
   Done: Passes the HouseMarch 26, 202564–32
5. ✓
   Done: Senate committeeApril 3, 2025
6. ✓
   Done: Passes the SenateMarch 9, 202630–16
7. ✓
   Done: To the GovernorMay 6, 2026
8. ✓
   Done: Signed into lawMay 19, 2026

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

Amendments · 4

2 adopted · 0 failed · 2 never voted on. Newest first.

• H-8174Strike everything · filed March 9, 2026 by

  AI summary This amendment replaces the entire bill with a new version called the “Medical Ethics Defense Act.” It establishes definitions for terms like conscience and discrimination, grants medical practitioners and institutions the right to refuse services based on their beliefs, and provides immunity from legal liability for doing so. It also adds protections for whistleblowers and creates specific rules to prevent licensing boards from punishing practitioners for protected free speech. Its wording →
  Never voted on
• S-5078Strike everything · filed March 9, 2026 by Sen. Jeff Taylor (R)

  AI summary This amendment replaces the entire bill with a new version called the “Medical Ethics Defense Act.” It establishes rights for medical practitioners and health care institutions to refuse to participate in or pay for services that violate their moral or religious beliefs and provides legal immunity for doing so. The new version also includes protections for whistleblowers, limits how licensing boards can discipline practitioners for protected speech, and allows religious-based organizations to make staffing and hiring decisions based on their beliefs. Its wording →
  Adopted
  March 9, 2026
• S-3024 · filed March 17, 2025 by Sen. Jeff Taylor (R)

  AI summary This amendment adds the words "good faith" to two different parts of the bill. This change would require certain actions to be taken with sincere and honest intent. Its wording →
  Never voted on
• H-1064 · filed March 11, 2025 by

  AI summary This amendment adds the words "good faith" to two different parts of the bill. Its wording →
  Adopted
  March 26, 2025