Freedom of conscience; creating the Medical Ethics Defense Act. Effective date.

SB 1798, the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," grants medical practitioners (like doctors and nurses), health care institutions (hospitals, clinics), and health care payers (insurance companies) the right to refuse participation in or payment for specific medical procedures or services that conflict with their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. The law prohibits discrimination against these entities for such refusals, including actions like termination, demotion, loss of licensure, or denial of contracts. It defines "discrimination" broadly to cover nearly all adverse employment or operational actions taken due to conscience-based objections. The bill specifically limits this right to objections against particular procedures, not general patient care, and requires that providers still offer other services not conflicting with their beliefs.