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A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-75 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the conscience clause.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 18.2-75 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 18.2-75. Conscience clause.

Nothing in §§ 18.2-72, 18.2-73 or § 18.2-74 shall (i) require a hospital or other medical facility or physician to admit any patient under the provisions hereof or (ii) prohibit any physician, pharmacist, or other medical or health care professional from exercising conscientious refusal in dispensing [ or administering ] any medication prescribed for the purpose of performing [ or causing ] an abortion [ , provided that such physician, pharmacist, or other medical or health care professional shall refer the patient in a timely manner for services ] . In addition, any person who shall state in writing an objection to any abortion or all abortions on personal, ethical, moral or religious grounds shall not be required to participate in procedures which will result in such abortion, and the refusal of such person, hospital or other medical facility to participate therein shall not form the basis of any claim for damages on account of such refusal or for any disciplinary or recriminatory action against such person, nor shall any such person be denied employment because of such objection or refusal. The written objection shall remain in effect until such person shall revoke it in writing or terminate his association with the facility with which it is filed.