2026 Legislation of Interest    

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM – CATHOLIC HOSPITALS – Bill Number not Yet Available - Public Health Committee Voted to Raise a Bill  

The Conference testified in strong opposition to this legislation in 2025 due to its potential impact on the ability of Catholic hospitals to oversee the practices of their medical staff. This was the third year the Conference defeated this type of legislation. The offensive section of the bill did not force Catholic hospitals to provide abortions or gender identity procedures that violated Catholic healthcare directives (Ethical and Religious Directives), but it removed their ability to discipline staff that did perform prohibited procedures or referrals. In terms of abortions, the issue was more about providing abortion drugs then actually performing surgical abortions in the hospitals.

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