Section 51.42. Willingness or refusal to perform or participate in abortion or sterilization procedures

(a) Pursuant to section 5.2(b)(2) of the act (43 P. S. § 955.2(b)(2)), no physician, nurse or staff member of a hospital or other health care facility who expresses a willingness to participate in the performance of abortion or sterilization procedures; who expresses a refusal to participate in the performance of such procedures based upon objection thereto on moral, religious or professional grounds; or who makes a statement or otherwise manifests any attitude with respect to abortion or sterilization shall be subject to any penalties; disciplinary action; denial; or limitation of public funds, licenses, certifications, degrees or other approvals or documents of qualification by reason of such willingness or refusal or statement or manifestation of attitude, except where such willingness, refusal, objection, statement or manifestation of attitude constitutes an overt act which disrupts hospital procedures, operations, or services or which endangers the health or safety of any patient.

(b) Individuals performing or participating in abortion or sterilization procedures are those physicians, nurses, staff members or employes of a hospital or other health care facility who are directly involved in such a procedure and are in attendance at the time when and in the room where the procedure takes place and without whose services the procedure itself could not be performed.

(c) For the purposes of sections 5.2(b)(2) and (3) of the act (43 P. S. § 955.2(b)(2) and (3)), a statement or other manifestation of attitude includes, but is not limited to, any written or oral statement and any course of conduct in which such person has engaged subsequent to January 22, 1973 which clearly and openly reflects or expresses the attitude of such person with respect to abortion or sterilization including, as an expression of attitude, the fact that such person has undergone an abortion or sterilization procedure.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 16 Pa. Code § 51.44 (relating to reasonable accommodation to rights of employes).