Protection of Conscience Project
Proposed Legislation
United States (States & Territories)

Create a new section of Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 315 to exempt a pharmacist who objects to dispensing medications or devices that may terminate a pregnancy from liability; and prohibit discrimination against a pharmacist who objects to dispensing medications or devices that may terminate a pregnancy.

January 4, 2001-introduced in House
January 5, 2001-to Health and Welfare (H)

Related Links
 Senate Bill 109

House Bill 687.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 315 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

(1) No pharmacist who states in writing, based on moral, religious, or professional grounds, his or her objection to the dispensing of medication or devices that may terminate a pregnancy shall be required to or be held liable for refusal to perform or participate in the dispensing of medications or devices that may terminate a pregnancy.

(2) It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for:

(a) Any person to impose penalties, take disciplinary action against, or deny or limit public funds, licenses and certification degrees, or other approvals or documents of qualification to any pharmacist for his or her refusal, based on objections of moral, religious, or professional grounds, to participate and cooperate in the dispensing of any medication or device that may terminate a pregnancy; and

(b) Any public or private agency, institution, person, including a medical, nursing, or other school, or hospital to deny admission to, impose any burdens in terms of conditions of employment upon, or otherwise discriminate against any applicant for admission thereto or any pharmacist on account of his or her unwillingness or refusal to dispense or distribute medication or devices that may terminate pregnancy, where the unwillingness or refusal is based on moral, religious, or professional grounds.