Iowa Bill Regarding Employer Religious Conscience Protection (SF 118)

SF 118 would have prohibited employers from being required to provide abortion or certain contraceptive health insurance or benefit coverages for employees or employees’ dependents if doing so would be a violation of a sincerely held religious belief.

An employer’s refusal to provide such health insurance or benefit coverages under the bill would not create any civil claim or cause of action, any criminal charge or other adverse action against an employer acting in accordance with the bill.

The bill provided that it is intended to further the compelling governmental interest of protecting the free exercise of religion under Article I, sections 3 and 4 of the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

STATUS

Similar to SF 2153, which failed to pass in 2014.

People