This section defines key terms used in the chapter, including conscience, discrimination, health care provider, health care service, object in writing, and participate.
The following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless otherwise required by their respective context: (1) CONSCIENCE. The religious, moral, or ethical principles held by a health care provider. (2) DISCRIMINATION. Discrimination includes, but is not limited to: Hiring, termination, refusal of staff privileges, refusal of board certification, demotion, loss of career specialty, reduction of wages or benefits, adverse treatment in the terms and conditions of employment, refusal to award any grant, contract, or other program, or refusal to provide residency training opportunities. (3) HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. Any individual who may be asked to participate in any way in a health care service, including, but not limited to: A physician, physician’s assistant, nurse, nurse’s aide, medical assistant, hospital employee, clinic employee, nursing home employee, pharmacist, researcher, medical or nursing school faculty, student, or employee, counselor, social worker, or any professional, paraprofessional, or any other person who furnishes or assists in the furnishing of health care services. (4) HEALTH CARE SERVICE. Patient medical care, treatment or procedure that is limited to abortion, human cloning, human embryonic stem cell research, and sterilization, and is related to: Testing, diagnosis or prognosis, research, instruction, prescribing, dispensing, or administering any device, drug, or medication, surgery, or any other care or treatment rendered or provided by health care providers. Health care service does not include notifying a member of a health care institution’s management of a patient inquiry about obtaining a health care service that a health care provider believes may violate his or her conscience. (5) OBJECT IN WRITING. To provide advance notice in a signed written paper document to an authorized agent of his or her employer, board, or other oversight agency of a particular health care provider. The notice shall be provided within a reasonable time, but in no case less than 24 hours prior to any service or procedure objected to under this chapter by the health care provider. (6) PARTICIPATE. To perform, assist in, refer for, admit for purposes of providing, or participate in providing, any health care service or any form of such service. Participate does not include compliance with a health care institution’s policy and procedure which states that a health care provider must notify a member of the health care institution’s management of a patient’s inquiry about obtaining a health care service that the health care provider believes may violate his or her conscience.