Virginia

House Bill 563 (2002)

Conscience clause

Introduction

This was an amendment to an existing Virginia protection of conscience statute. The amendments (in italics) provide protection with respect to abortifacient drugs. The bill was passed in the House and sent to the Senate, where it was referred to the Committee on Education and Health.  It did not proceed further and was superseded in 2003 by HB 1741. [Administrator]

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 require (i) a hospital or other medical facility or physician to admit any patient under the provisions hereof or (ii) any physician, pharmacist or nurse to dispense any birth-control pill or other medicine for the purpose of performing an abortion. 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.