Florida Bill Regarding the Protection of Religious Freedom (HB 401)

HB 401 would amend the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1998” to provide further protections for religious freedom in the state of Florida.

Health Services

The bill would provide immunity from liability for a health care facility or health care provider that refuses to administer, recommend, or deliver medical treatments or procedures that would be contrary to religious or moral convictions or policies. The facility or health care provider would not be liable for such refusal, except when withholding the medical treatment or procedure places the patient in imminent danger of loss of life or serious bodily injury.

Affiliated Entities

The bill would provide immunity from liability for a person, closely held organization, religious institution, or business owned or operated by a religious institution that refuses to produce, create, or deliver custom products or services that would be contrary to religious or moral convictions or policies.

Adoption Services

The bill would provide immunity from liability for a private child-placing agency that refuses to perform, assist in, recommend, consent to, or participate in the placement of a child that would be contrary to religious or moral convictions or policies

If passed, the bill would not only allow for the discrimination against the LGBTQ community, but also for health care professionals to withhold safe, legal reproductive health care services for women.

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