(a) The General Assembly finds that:(1) The right of conscience is a fundamental and unalienable right;(2) The right of conscience was central to the founding of the United States, has been deeply rooted in the history and tradition of the United States for centuries, and has been central to the practice of medicine through the Hippocratic oath for millennia;(3) Despite its importance, threats to the right of conscience of medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, and healthcare payers have become increasingly more common and severe in recent years;(4) The swift pace of scientific advancement and the expansion of medical capabilities, along with the notion that medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, and healthcare payers are mere public utilities, promise only to exacerbate the current crisis unless something is done to restore the importance of the right of conscience; and(5) It is the public policy of this state to protect the right of conscience of medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, and healthcare payers.(b) It is the purpose of this subchapter to protect all medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, and healthcare payers from discrimination, ners, healthcare institutions, and healthcare payers.(b) It is the purpose of this subchapter to protect all medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, and healthcare payers from discrimination, punishment, or retaliation as a result of any instance of conscientious medical objection.Added by Act 2021, No. 462,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.
Arkansas Legal Code