On Thursday afternoon the House Public Health Committee passed S.B. 289, the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act, by by Sen. Kim Hammer (R – Benton) and Rep. Brandt Smith (R – Jonesboro).
The bill has only one final step — passing the entire Arkansas House of Representatives — before going to the senate for concurrence in amendments and then the governor’s desk.
S.B. 289 protects healthcare workers’ rights of conscience in Arkansas.
Current conscience protections in state law are narrowly focused and protect only a limited number of people.
S.B. 289 helps broaden these protections for healthcare workers.
The bill passed the Arkansas Senate, but it previously failed to pass in the House Public Health Committee.
Thursday’s vote clears the way for S.B. 289 to head to the entire Arkansas House of Representatives for consideration.
