House Amendments in [ ] - January 30, 2003
A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-75 of the Code of
Virginia, relating to the conscience clause.
Patron Prior to Engrossment--Delegate Byron
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §18.2-75
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§
18.2-75. Conscience clause.
Nothing in §§18.2-72,18.2-73
or §
18.2-74 shall (i) require a hospital or other medical facility or
physician to admit any patient under the provisions hereof or (ii)
prohibit any physician, pharmacist, or other medical or health care
professional from exercising conscientious refusal in dispensing [ or
administering ]any medication prescribed for the purpose of
performing [ or causing ] an abortion [ , provided that such
physician, pharmacist, or other medical or health care professional shall
refer the patient in a timely manner for services ] . In addition, any
person who shall state in writing an objection to any abortion or all
abortions on personal, ethical, moral or religious grounds shall not be
required to participate in procedures which will result in such abortion,
and the refusal of such person, hospital or other medical facility to
participate therein shall not form the basis of any claim for damages on
account of such refusal or for any disciplinary or recriminatory action
against such person, nor shall any such person be denied employment because
of such objection or refusal. The written objection shall remain in effect
until such person shall revoke it in writing or terminate his association
with the facility with which it is filed.