Arkansas Senate Passes Bill Protecting Healthcare Professionals’ Rights of Conscience

On Wednesday the Arkansas Senate passed S.B. 289 by Sen. Kim Hammer (R – Benton) and Rep. Brandt Smith (R – Jonesboro).

This good bill protects healthcare workers’ rights of conscience.

Arkansas’ current conscience protections are narrowly focused on abortion, abortifacients, and end of life decisions, and they protect only a limited number of people.

S.B. 289 helps broaden these protections for all healthcare professionals.

No one should have to worry about facing retaliation or discrimination for obeying their conscientious convictions.

Rights-of-conscience is a long-established tradition that predates the U.S. Constitution. This right should not be ignored.

S.B. 289 now goes to the Arkansas House, where it likely will be assigned to the House Public Health Committee.

Below is a breakdown of the Arkansas Senate’s vote on S.B. 289.

Voted for S.B. 289

• B. Ballinger
• Beckham
• Bledsoe
• Caldwell
• A. Clark
• B. Davis
• J. Dismang
• L. Eads
• J. English
• Flippo
• T. Garner
• Gilmore
• K. Hammer
• Hester
• Hickey
• Hill
• M. Johnson
• B. Johnson
• M. Pitsch
• Rapert
• Rice
• B. Sample
• G. Stubblefield
• J. Sturch
• D. Sullivan
• Teague
• D. Wallace

Voted Against S.B. 289

• L. Chesterfield
• Elliott
• S. Flowers
• K. Ingram
• G. Leding
• C. Tucker

Did Not Vote on S.B. 289

• Irvin

Excused From the Vote

• J. Hendren