JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Health care workers could refuse to participate in procedures or research that violates their religious, moral or ethical principles under a measure passed by the Missouri House.
The House sent the measure to the Senate Tuesday with a 116-41 vote.
Workers seeking to invoke the so-called conscience protection would have to provide reasonable notice.
The measure would also bar discrimination against all medical personnel for opting out of certain procedures or research. It would apply to abortions, sterilizations, embryonic stem-cell research, assisted reproduction and contraception. Hospitals, clinics and medical or nursing schools also could refuse to perform procedures that violate the institution's conscience.
Some Democrats who voted against the bill said it could negatively impact patient safety.
House members approved similar legislation last year.
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Health care conscience is HB457
Online:
Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov
