Illinois, of All Places

   

     Who would've thought?

       I have been researching which states have "conscience protection clauses": states where you can't be held "civilly or criminally liable" for refusing to provide health care services which would violate your religious beliefs. I was certain that Missouri must have one, but theirs only seems to apply to abortion. Illinois, on the other hand, has the "Health Care Right of Conscience Act":


    Sec. 4. Liability. No physician or health care personnel shall be civilly or criminally liable to any person, estate, public or private entity or public official by reason of his or her refusal to perform, assist, counsel, suggest, recommend, refer or participate in any way in any particular form of health care service which is contrary to the conscience of such physician or health care personnel. 

    Sec. 5. Discrimination. It shall be unlawful for any person, public or private institution, or public official to discriminate against any person in any manner, including but not limited to, licensing, hiring, promotion, transfer, staff appointment, hospital, managed care entity, or any other privileges, because of such person's conscientious refusal to receive, obtain, accept, perform, assist, counsel, suggest, recommend, refer or participate in any way in any particular form of health care services contrary to his or her conscience.

       Wow.

      I am assuming this is up-to-date; it comes from the Illinois General Assembly Website. You can find the whole thing here.

      I don't know if there are any other states with this, but if there are, they're the places I'm going to look for jobs when the time comes.

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