Freedom of conscience; creating the Medical Ethics Defense Act; granting certain rights and protections to certain medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, or healthcare payers. Effective date.

SB 665, the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," grants medical practitioners (like doctors and nurses), healthcare institutions (hospitals, clinics), and healthcare payers (insurance companies, employers) the right to refuse participation in or payment for medical procedures that conflict with their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. It prohibits discrimination against these entities for such refusals - including termination, loss of licensure, or denial of contracts - and requires healthcare providers to "opt-in" for abortion services specifically. The law explicitly limits this right to conscience-based objections against particular procedures (e.g., abortion), not general medical duties, and protects against civil liability for exercising this right. It applies directly to all covered healthcare workers, facilities, and payers across Oklahoma.