SF 180: Relating to the right to refuse certain medical services for reasons of conscience

What it does

This bill relates to an individual’s right to refuse medical services for reasons of conscience. The bill provides that if a medical service is declared a countermeasure under the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, or the United States food and drug administration issues an emergency use authorization for a medical service, an individual may refuse the medical service for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions. If an individual refuses a medical service, then an entity as described in the bill is prohibited from taking certain actions relating to employment, receipt of services and commerce, segregation, penalties, financial coercion, and discrimination.

House subcommittee · named March 28, 2025

• Rep. Skyler Wheeler (R) · skyler.wheeler@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Steven C. Holt (R) · steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Dr. Megan L. Srinivas (D) · megan.srinivas@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 5 for, 13 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowans for Freedom; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation

Against: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN); American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Bitches Get Stuff Done; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Iowa Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics; Iowa Independent Physician Group; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Iowa Medical Society; Iowa Nurse Practitioners Society; Iowa Nurses Association; Iowa Pharmacy Association; and 1 more

In plain words

1. February 3, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. February 4, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Taylor, Blake and Green
3. February 11, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. March 5, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
5. March 26, 2025Passed the Senate, 32–15
6. March 26, 2025Arrived in the House
7. March 28, 2025House subcommittee named: Wheeler, Holt and Srinivas
8. April 2, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
9. April 2, 2025Approved by the House committee
10. April 2, 2025Committee vote: 14–6