H-3967.1          _______________________________________________

 

                                  HOUSE BILL 2679

                  _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Sherstad, Koster, Stevens, Sheahan, McMahan, Sterk, Hargrove, Backlund, Mulliken, Boldt and Hymes

 

Read first time 01/17/96.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

 

Amending conscience clause relating to provision of abortion.



     AN ACT Relating to providing choice for employers, providers, plans, and other persons in abortion-related benefits; and amending RCW 9.02.150; and declaring an emergency.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

     Sec. 1.  RCW 9.02.150 and 1992 c 1 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

     No person or private medical facility may be required by law or contract in any circumstances to participate in the performance of an abortion if such person or private medical facility objects to so doing.

     No employer, provider, carrier, plan, or person may be required by law or contract in any circumstances to purchase, provide, or participate in any specific insurance benefit, including health insurance, or disability benefit, including a sick leave plan, or temporary disability benefit plan, that directly reimburses, compensates, or otherwise pays for the performance of any induced abortion or for leave to obtain any induced abortion.

     No person may be discriminated against in employment or professional privileges because of the person's participation or refusal to participate in the termination of a pregnancy.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, morals, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

 


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