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Utah Code § 76-7-306

Refusal to participate, admit, or treat for abortion based on religious or moral grounds -- Cause of action

Amended by Chapter 429, 2026 General Session

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Conscience" means the same as that term is defined in Section 63G-33-301.

(b) "Health care facility" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-2-201.

(c) "Health care provider" means an individual who is an employee of, has practice privileges at, or is otherwise associated with a health care facility.

(2) A health care provider may, on the grounds of religious belief or conscience, refuse to perform or participate in any way, in:

(a) an abortion;

(b) a procedure that is intended to, or likely to, result in the termination of a pregnancy; or

(c) the disposal of remains resulting from an abortion or a procedure described in Subsection (2)(b).

(3) Except as otherwise required by law, a health care facility may refuse, on the grounds of religious belief or conscience, to:

(a) admit a patient for an abortion procedure or another procedure that is intended to, or likely to, result in the termination of a pregnancy; or

(b) perform for a patient an abortion procedure or another procedure that is intended to, or likely to, result in the termination of a pregnancy.

(4) A health care provider's refusal under Subsection (2) or a health care facility's refusal under Subsection (3) may not be the basis for civil liability or other recriminatory action.

(5) A health care facility, employer, or other person may not take an adverse action against a health care provider for exercising the health care provider's right of refusal described in Subsection (2), or for bringing or threatening to bring an action described in Subsection (6), including:

(a) dismissal;

(b) demotion;

(c) suspension;

(d) discipline;

(e) discrimination;

(f) harassment;

(g) retaliation;

(h) adverse change in status;

(i) termination of, adverse alteration of, or refusal to renew an association or agreement; or

(j) refusal to provide a benefit, privilege, raise, promotion, tenure, or increased status that the health care provider would have otherwise received.

(6)

(a) A person who is adversely impacted by conduct prohibited in Subsection (5) may bring a civil action for equitable relief, including reinstatement, and for damages.

(b) A person who brings an action under this section must commence the action within three years after the day on which the cause of action arises.

Official source: Utah State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Utah statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.