A bill for an act relating to protections for medical practitioners, health care institutions, and health care payors including those related to the exercise of conscience, whistleblower activities, and free speech, and providing penalties.

SF 220, the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," protects medical practitioners (including doctors and nurses), health care institutions (like hospitals), and health care payors (such as insurance companies) from discrimination when they refuse to provide specific health care services based on their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. The bill prohibits retaliation, including penalties or disciplinary actions, for such refusals and grants legal immunity from civil, criminal, or administrative liability. It also shields individuals who report violations of these protections to authorities like the attorney general or federal agencies. However, the law does not override the requirement for health care institutions to provide emergency medical services.