The "RH Act" (2012) in brief

The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health

Act of 2012

This is an outline of The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health

Act of 2012.

It sets out the sections that are of particular interest to freedom of

conscience issues.
o Text of the law is on the left, Project comment on the right.
o Researchers should consult the full text of the law.

Red Text identifies parts of the Act struck down by the Supreme Court of
the Philippines in April, 2014. Mouseover the red text to see annotation in
the right column.
o Supreme Court Decision, April, 2014

SEC. 1. Title

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy

Text

Project Comment

The State recognizes and guarantees the

human rights of all persons, including
their right to equality and
nondiscrimination of these rights, the right
to sustainable human development, the
right to health which includes reproductive
health, the right to education and
information, and the right to choose and
make decisions for themselves in
accordance with their religious convictions,
ethics, cultural beliefs and the demands of
responsible parenthood. . .

1. A universal basic human right must pertain

to "all persons." This includes single people.
It must aslo include everyone without
consideration of preferences in sexual
partners.
2. No one can be said to have a right to health
or to reproductive health, since this would
mean that someone suffering from influenza or
congenital sterility is the victim of a violation of
human rights violation.
3. Presumably, the legislators did not mean to
absolutize the notion of a "right to choose and
make decsions", since many choices and

decisions are legitimately prohibited by law.

4. The section implies that the legislators
recognize freedom of conscience, but this is
not evident in the sections that follow.

. . .it is the duty of the State to protect

and strengthen the family as a basic
autonomous social institution and equally
protect the life of the mother and the life
of the unborn from conception. The State
shall protect and promote the right to
health of women especially mothers in
particular and of the people in general and
instil health consciousness among
them. The family is the natural and
fundamental unit of society. The State
shall likewise protect and advance the
right of families in particular and the
people in general to a balanced and
healthful environment in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature.

5. No person and no family is, in fact,

autonomous.
6. "Family" is undefined. It is later said that
marriage is the foundation of the family. The
context and typical usage elsewhere in the Act
suggests that "family" is understood to refer to
a husband, wife and children. However, the
Act does not associate reproductive health,
sexual health and childbearing with marriage,
so the notion of "family" as it relates to these
subjects appears to be elastic. See Comment
13.

The State also recognizes and guarantees

the promotion and equal protection of the
welfare and rights of children, the youth
and the unborn.

Moreover, the State recognizes and

guarantees the promotion of gender
equality, gender equity, women
empowerment and dignity as a health and
human rights concern and as a social
responsibility. The advancement and
protection of women's human rights shall
be central to the efforts of the State to
address reproductive health care.

7. Political/ideological concepts and

terminology are transformed into "health
concerns."
8. Provisions related to "gender" have been
revised to preclude the suggestion of additional
"genders" invented by activists who identify
themselves or others as something thing than
male or female. This has reduced the
likelihood of conflicts of conscience arising from
contested gender claims.

The State recognizes marriage as an

inviolable social institution and the
foundation of the family which in turn is
the foundation of the nation. Pursant
thereto, the State shall defend:

a) The right of spouses to found a

family in accordance with their
religious convictions and the
demands of responsible
parenthhhod;

9. Defend, but not guarantee.

b) The right of children to assistance,

including proper care and nutrition,
and special protection from all forms
10. Defend, but not guarantee.
of neglect, abuse, cruelty,
exploitation and other conitions
prejudicial to their development;

c) The right of the family to a family

living wage and income; and

11. Defend, but not guarantee.

d) The right of families or family

associations to participate in the
planning and implementation of
policies and programs that affect
them.

12. Defend, but not guarantee.

The State likewise guarantees universal

access to medically-safe, nonabortifacient,effective, legal affordable and
quality reproductive health care services,
methods, devices, supplies which do not
prevent the implantation of a fertilized
ovum as determined by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and relevant
information and education thereon
according to the priority needs of women,
children and other underprivileged sectors,

13. The state is to be the guarantor of

"universal access" to reproductive health care
services, as further defined inSection
4(q). "Universal access" and subsequent
references to individuals, couples and persons
indicates that the guarantee extends to single
people, unmarried couples and those who
identify themselves as homosexual.
SeeComment 6.

giving preferential access to those

idientified through the National Househlold
Targeting System for Poverty Reduction
(NHTS-PR) and other government
measures of identifying marginalization,
who shall be volunatry beneficiaries of
reproductive health care, services and
supplies for free.

14. No similar State guarantee is offered with

respect to other forms of health care, such as
palliative care, even in theNational Health
Insurance Act.

The State shall eradicate discriminatory

practices, laws and policies that
infringe ona person's exercise of
reproductive health rights.

15. "Infringement" need not imply actual

violation. This has implications for the public
expression of religious beliefs in words or in
actions. The adverse effect of this section on
freedom of conscience and religion may be
amplified by Section 27. See Comment 51.

The State shall also promote openness to

life: Provided, That parents bring forth to
the world only those children whom they
can raise in a truly humane way.

16. What constitutes "a truly humane" way

to raise children is not defined in the law.
Parents who are found to have violated this
obligation can be fined or imprisoned.
See Section 24.

SEC. 3. Guiding Principles for Implementation

This Act declares the following as guiding principles:
a) The right to make free and informed decisions,
which is central to the exercise of any right, shall
not be subjected to any form of coercion and
must be fully guaranteed by the State like the
right itself;

b) Respect for protection and fulfillment of

reproductive health and rights which seek to
promote the rights and welfare of every
person, particularly couples, adult
individuals, women and adolsecents;

d) The provision of ethical and medically safe,

legal, accessible, affordable, nonabortifacient, effective and quality reproductive
health care services and supplies is essential in
the promotion of people's right to health,
especially those of women, the poor and the
marginalized, and shall be incorporated as a
component of basic health care;

17. "Non-abortifacient" must be

understood to include services, drugs
and devices that do not cause
abortions, cause the death of an
implanted embryo or fetus, and that do
not cause the death of an embryo
before implantation. See the definition
of "abortifacient" in Section 4(a).

g) The provision of reproductive health care,

information and and supplies. . must be the
primary responsibilty of the national government
consistent with its obligation to respect, protect
and promote the right to health and the right to
life;
h) The State shall respect individuals'
preferences and choice of family planning
methods that are in accordance with their
religious convictions and cultural beliefs, taking
into consideration the State's obligations under
various human rights instruments;
i) Active participation by nongovernment
organizations (NGOs) women's and people's
organizations, civil society, faith-based
organizations, the religious sector and
communities is crucial to ensure that reproductive
health and population and development policies,
plans and programs will address the priority
needs of women, the poor and the marginalized;
k) Each family shall have the right to determine
its idela family size; Provided, however, That the
State shall equip each parent with the necessary
information on all aspects of family life, including
reproductive health and responsible parenthood
in order to make that determination;
l) There shall be no demographic or populaiton
targets and the mitigation and/or stabilization of
the population growth rate is incidental to the
advancement of reproductive health;
m) Gender equality and women empowerment
are central elements of reproductive health and
population and developmenet;

18. The significance of the qualification

is unclear, since it seems to imply that
the State may have contrary obligations
under unspecified "human rights
instruments."

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms

For the purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

a) Abortifacient refers to any drug or device

that induces abortion or the destruction of a
fetus inside the mother's womb or the
prevention of the fertilized ovum to reach and
be implanted in the mother's womb upon
determination of the FDA;

e) Family planning refers to a program

which enables couples and individuals to
decide freely and responsibly the number and
spacing of their children and to have the
information and means to do do so, and to
have access to a full range of safe, affordable,
effective, non-abortifacientmodern natural
and artificial methods of planning pregnancy;
g) Gender equality refers to the principle of
equality between men and women and equal
rights to enjoy conditions in realizing their full
human potential. . .

h) Gender equity refers to the policies,

instruments, programs and actions that
address the disadvantaged position of women
in socity by providing preferential
treatment . . .

19. "Abortifacient" is defined to include

surgical abortion, abortions induced by
drugs or devices, and embryocides (drugs
or devices that kill an embryo before
implantation).
However, it is up to the Philippines Food
and Drug Agency to determine the
mechanism of action of a drug or device.
Classifications and descriptions provided
by the American Food and Drug
Administration have been on ongoing
cause of controversy in the United
States.

20. Notwithstanding the emphasis placed

on the family and marriage, this implies
that individuals and unmarried couples
have a "right" to have children, which,
under Section 2, is guaranteed by the
State.

21. The terms "gender equality" and

"gender equity" are defined in a way that
precludes the suggestion of additional
"genders" invented by activists who
identify themselves or others as
something thing than male or female.
This is one of the significant revisions
made to earlier drafts of the legislation.

i) Modern methods of family

planningrefers to safe, effective, nonabortifacientand legal methods, whether
natural or artificial, that are registered with
the FDA to plan pregnancy.

n) Public health care service

providerrefers to (1) public health care
institution, which is duly licensed and
accredited and devoted primarily to the
maintenance and operation fo facilities for
health promotiion, disease prevention,
diagnosis, treatment and care of individuals
suffering from illness, disease, injury,
disability or deformity, or in need of
obstetrical or other medical and nursing care;
(2) public health care professional, who is a
doctor of medicine, a nurse or a midwife; (3)
public health worker engaged in the delivery
of healthcare services; or (4) barangay health
worker who has undergone training programs
under any accredited govenrment and NGO
and who voluntarily renders primarily health
care services in the community after haivng
been accredited to function as such by the
local health board . .

22. Presumably, professionals in private

practice or employed by private or
denominational institutions would not be
considered "public health care service
providers."

p) Reproductive Health (RH) refers to the

state of complete physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to
the reproductive system and to its functions
and processes. . .

q) Reproductive health care refers to the

access to a full range of methods, facilities,
services and supplies that contribute to
reproductive health and well being by
addressing reproductive health related
problems. It also includes sexual health, the
purpose of which is the enhancement of life

23. The definition includes various forms

of artificial reproduction, such as in vitro
fertilization.

and personal relations. . . .

r) Reproductive health care programrefers

to the systematic and integrated provision of
24. A program would presumably include
reproductive health care all citizens,
various forms of artificial reproduction, such
prioritizing women, the poor, marginalized
as in vitro fertilization, as noted above.
and those in vulnerable or crisis situations.

s) Reproductive health rights refers to the

rights of individuals and couples to decided
freely and responsibly whether or not to have
children; the number, spacing and timing of
their children, to make other decisions
concerning reproduction, free of
discrimination, coercion and violence; to have
the information and means to do so, and to
attain the highest standard of sexual health
and reproductive health; Provided,
however That reproductive health rights do
not include abortion, and access to
abortifacients;

w) Sexual health refers to a state of

physical, mental and social well being in
relation to sexuality. It requires a positive
and respectful approach to sexuality and
sexual relationships, as well as the possibility
of havng pleasurable and safe sexual
experiences, free from coercion,
discrimination and violence.

25. This implies that individuals and

unmarried couples have a "right" to have
children, which, under Section 2, is
guaranteed by the State. It follows from
the text of the statute that this "right"
includes a right to artificial reproduction as
per Section 4(q), also guaranteed by the
State.
26. Moreover, since neither "individuals"
nor "couples" is further qualified, the Act
implies that homosexual individuals or
couples have a right to have children by
means of artificial reproduction, and that
this right is guaranteed by the State
under Section 2.
27. The right does not inlcude a right to
abortion or to what the Philippines Food
and Drug Agency declares to be
abortifacient or embryocidal drugs and
devices. [See Section 4(a)]

28. No reference here to sexuality within

the context of marriage and family life.

SEC. 5. Hiring of Skilled Health Professionals for Maternal Health Care

and Skilled Birth Attendance
SEC. 6. Health Care Facilities

SEC. 7. Access to Family Planning

All accredited public
health facilities shall
provide a full range of
modern family planning
methods, which shall
also includemedical
consultations, supplies
and necessary and
reasonable
procedures for poor and
marginalized
couples having
infertililty issues who
desire to have children:

29. The requirement to provide assistance to "couples . . . who

desire to have children" appears to contradict Sections x and y,
which guarantee thatindividuals also have a right to determine
the number and spacing of their children.

Provided That family

planning services shall
likewise be extended by
private health facilities
to paying patients with
the option to grant
free health care and
services to indigents,

30. Legislators may have intended that private health care

facilities be required to offer "a full range of modern family
planning services" to paying clients, but that is not what the Act
says. Similarly, legislators may have intended that private
facilities could offer free reproductivehealth care to "indigents,"
but, once more, that is not what the Act says.

except in the case of

non-maternity speciality
hospitals and
hospitals owned and
operated by a religious
group, but they have
the option to
provide such full range
of modern family
planning methods.
Provided further, That
these hospitals shall
immediately refer the
person seeking such

31. This passage indicates that the whole of Section 7 is

intended to refer to a "full range of modern family planning
methods" and "reproductive health care.' Non-maternity
specialty and denominational hospitals may provide such
services, but are not required to do so.

32. However, a hospital that refuses to provide a "full range" of

family planning or reproductive health services must
"immediately refer" patients to another facility that will do

care and services to

another health facility
which is conveniently
accessible: Provided
finally, That the person
is not in an emergency
condition or serious case
as defined in Republic
Act No. 8344.
No person shall be
denied information and
access to famly planning
services, whether
natural or
artificial: Provided, That
minors will not be
allowed access to
modern methods of
family planning without
written consent from
their parents or
guardians, except when
the minor is already a
parent or has had a
miscarriage.

so. This suppresses freedom of conscience on the part of those

who object to referral because it makes them complicit in the act
that follows.In April, 2014, the Philippines Supreme Court ruled
that this provision was an unconstitutional violation of freedom of
conscience.
33. Further: that facility must be "conveniently accessible." The
law does not explicitly state what is required if another facility
is not conveniently accessible.

34. However, the statement that "no person shall be denied. . .

access to family planning services," read in conjunction
with Section 27, invites the conclusion that if another facility is
not conveniently accessible, the objecting institution must
provide the morally contested service.In April, 2014, the
Philippines Supreme Court ruled that this provision was an
unconstitutional violation of freedom of conscience.
35. Refusing to refer a patient leaves the persons responsible
and officers of the institution liable to imprisonment for one to six
months, a fine of up to 100,000 pesos, or both.In April, 2014,
the Philippines Supreme Court ruled that this provision was an
unconstitutional violation of freedom of conscience. [Section 24]

SEC. 8. Maternal Death Review and Fetal and Infant Death Review

SEC. 9. The Philippine National Drug Formulary System and

Family Planning supplies
The National Drug
Formulary shall include
hormonal
contraceptives,
intrauterine devices,
injectables and other
safe, legal, nonabortifacient and
effective family
planning products and
supplies. . .
. . . These products and
supplies shall also be
included in the regular

36. Section 9 of the Act is incoherent. Intrauterine devices and

injectables are known to act by preventing the implantation of an
embryo, and are thus forbidden by Section 4(a) of the Act, but
this section requires that they be kept in stock.

37. This is the first and only time that "emergency contraceptive
pills" and "postcoital pills" are mentioned in the Act. This section

purchase of essential
medicines and supplies
of all national
hospitals. Provided
further, That the
foregoing offices shall
not purchase or acquire
by any means
emergency
contraceptive pills,
postcoital pills,
abortifacients that will
be used for such
purpose and their other
forms or equivalent.

appears to equate them to abortifacients or embryocides, a

classification that is hotly disputed. This section also appears to
preclude their approval by the Philippines FDA under Section
4(a), since the products are not described in the Act by
mechanism of action. Finally, "other forms or equivalent" can
include regular hormonal contraceptives, since some of these can
be prescribed in ways that cause them to act like postcoital
interceptives.

SEC. 10. Procurement and Distribution of Family Planning Supplies

SEC. 11. Integration of Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning
Component in Anti-Poverty Programs
SEC. 12. PhilHealth Benefits for Serious and Life-|Threatening
Reproductive Health Conditions
SEC. 13. Mobile Health Care Service
SEC. 14. Age and Development Appropriate Reproductive Health and
Sexuality Education

SEC. 15. Certificate of Compliance

No marriage license shall be issued by the
Local Civil Registrar unless the applicants
present a Certificate of Compliance issued
for free by the local Family Planning Office
certifying that they had duly received
adequate instructions and information on
responsible parenthood, family planning,
breastfeeding and infant nutrition.

38. Only those who plan to marry are

required to obtain certificates. Those who
plan to have children out of wedlock or
who have extramarital sex are exempt
from the requirement to attend State
classes on responsible parenthood, family
planning, breastfeeding and infant
nutrition.

SEC. 16. Capability Building of Barangay Health Workers

SEC. 17. Pro Bono Services for Indigent WomenIn April, 2014, the
Philippines Supreme Court ruled that "conscientious objectors are
exempt from this provision as long as their religious beliefs and

convictions do not allow them to render reproductive health service, pro

bona or otherwise."
SEC. 18. Sexual And Reproductive Health Programs For Persons With
Disabilities (PWDs)

SEC. 19. Duties and Responsibilities

a) Pursuant to the herein declared policy,
the DOH shall serve as the lead agency for
the implementation of this Act and shall
integrate in their regular operations the
following funcitons.
1) Fully and efficiently implement the
reproductive health care program;

2) Ensure people's access to

medically safe, nonabortifacient,legal, quality and
affordable reproductive health goods
and services; and

3) Perform such other functions

necessary to attain the purposes of
this Act.

b) The DOH, in coordination with the PHIC,

as may be applicable, shall:

1) Strengthen the capacities of health

regulatory agencies to ensure safe,
high quality, accessible and affordable
reproductive health services and

39. The requirement to "ensure people's

access" may be used as an excuse to
suppress freedom of conscience among
those who object aspects of the
programme.
40. This is the first reference to
"reproductive health goods and services," a
term that is presumably related to but
broader than the defined terms
"reproductive health" and "reproductive
health care."

41. A blanket warrant to act.

42. DOH: Department of Health

PHIC: Philippines Health Insurance
Corporation

43. This section appears to require

professional regulators to develop policies,
regulations and codes of ethics that can be
used to force objecting health care workers

commodities with the concurrent

strengthening and enforcement of
regulatory mandates and
mechanisms;

and institutions to comply with the Act.

SEC. 20. Public Awareness

SEC. 21. Reporting Requirement
SEC. 22. Congressional Oversight Committee on Reproductive Health
Act

SEC. 23. Prohibited Acts

The following acts are prohibited:
(a) Any healthcare service provider,
whether public or private, who shall:In
April, 2014, the Philippines Supreme Court
ruled that this provision was an
unconstitutional violation of freedom of
conscience "insofar as [it] punish[es] any
healthcare service provider who fails and
or refuses to disseminate information
regarding programs and services on
reproductive health regardless of his or her
religious beliefs."

(1) Knowingly withhold information or

restrict the dissemination
thereof, orintentionally provide incorrect
information regarding programs and
services on reproductive health, including
the right to informed choice and access to
a full range of legal, medically-safe nonabortificent and effective family planning
methods;

(2) Refuse to perform legal and medicallysafe reproductive health procedures on any

44. Objectors who have drawn attention

to potentially abortifacient or embryocidal
effects of drugs and devices have
sometimes been accused of providing
"misinformation." Those who have refused
to facilitate procedures to which they
object by offering contact information for a
service provider have been accused of
withholding information.

person of legal age on the ground of lack

of consent or authorization of the following
persons in the following instances:
(i) Spousal consent in case of married
persons: Provided, That in case of
disagreement, the decision of the one
undergoing the procedure shall prevail;
and
(ii) Parental consent or that of the person
exercising parental authority in the case of
abused minors, where the parent or the
person exercising parental authority is the
respondent, accused or convicted
perpetrator as certified by the proper
prosecutorial office of the court. In the
case of minors, the written consent of
parents or legal guardian or, in their
absence, persons exercising parental
authority or next-of-kin shall be required
only in elective surgical procedures and in
no case shall consent be required in
emergency or serious cases as defined in
Republic Act No. 8344; and

(3) Refuse to extend health care services

and information on account of the
person'smarital status, gender, sexual
orientation,age, religious convictions,
personal circumstances, or nature of
work; Provided, That, the conscientious
objection of a healthcare service provider
based on his/her ethical or religious beliefs
shall be respected; however, the
conscientious objector shall immediately
refer the person seeking such care and
services to another healthcare service
provider within the same facility or one
which is conveniently accessible who is
willing to provide the requisite information
and services;Provided, further, That the
person is not in an emergency condition or
serious case as defined in Republic Act
8344 which penalizes the refusal of
hospitals and medical clinics to administer
appropriate initial medical treatment and
support in emergency and serious cases.In
April, 2014, the Philippines Supreme Court
ruled that this provision was an
unconstitutional violation of freedom of
conscience "insofar as [it] punish[es] any
healthcare service provider who fails
and/or refuses to refer a patient not in an
emergency or life-threatening case, as
defined under Republic Act No. 8344, to
another health care service provider within
the same facility or one which is
conveniently accessible regardless of his or
her religious beliefs."

(b) Any public officer, elected or

appointed, specifically charged with the
duty to implement the provisions hereof,
who, personally or through a subordinate,
prohibits or restricts the delivery of legal
and medically-safe reproductive health
care services, including family planning; In
April, 2014, the Philippines Supreme Court
ruled that this provision was an

45. The Act asserts that unmarried

persons, and those identifying themselves
as homosexual have a right to artificial
reproduction as well as various forms of
birth control. However, some health care
workers decline, for reasons of conscience,
to provide such services. They are
motivated by a wish to avoid complicity in
perceived wrongdoing, not by personal
characteristics of the patient. This section
does not protect them, because it
erroneously presumes that conscientious
objection is motivated only by
discriminatory attitudes.
46. The exemption is limited to a refusal
for reasons set out in Section 23(3). No
exemption is permitted for moral
objections to contentious procedures or
services. Further: some health care
workers consider referral to be
unacceptable because it makes them
morally complicit in an act they believe to
be wrong.
47. Refusing to refer a patient leaves the
persons responsible and officers of the
institution liable to imprisonment for one to
six months, a fine of up to 100,000 pesos,
or both. [Section 24]

unconstitutional violation of freedom of

conscience "insofar as [it] punish[es] any
public officer who refuses to support
reproductive health programs or shall do
any act that hinders the full
implementation of a reproductive health
program, regardless of his or her religious
beliefs."or forces, coerces or induces any
person to use such services; or refuses to
allocate, approve or release any budget for
reproductive health care services, or to
support reproductive health programs; or
shall do any act that hinders the full
implementation of a reproductive health
program as mandated by this Act;In April,
2014, the Philippines Supreme Court ruled
that this provision was an unconstitutional
violation of freedom of conscience "insofar
as [it] punish[es] any public officer who
refuses to support reproductive health
programs or shall do any act that hinders
the full implementation of a reproductive
health program, regardless of his or her
religious beliefs."

SEC. 24. Penalties

Any violation of this Act or commission of
the foregoing prohibited acts shall be
penalized by imprisonment ranging from
one (1) month to six (6) months or a fine
of Ten thousand pesos(P 10,000.00) to
One hundred thousand pesos (P
100,000.00) or both such fine and
imprisonment at the discretion of the
competent court; ProvidedThat, if the
offender is a public official or employee, he
/she shall suffer the accessory penalty of
suspension not exceeding one (1)year or
removal and forfeiture of retirement
benefits depending upon the gravity of the
offense after due notice and hearing by the
appropriate body or agency.

48. Health care providers who refuse to

provide or refer for a full range of
reproductive health services, including
artificial reproduction and contraceptives,
are liable to one six months imprisonment,
or a fine of up to 100,000 pesos, or both.In
April, 2014, the Philippines Supreme Court
ruled that this provision was an
unconstitutional violation of freedom of
conscience.
49. The same penalties are applicable to
parents who give birth to children despite
being unable to raise them in a "truly
humane" way.

If the offender is a juridical person, the

penalty shall be imposed upon the
president or any responsible officer. An
offender who is an alien shall, after service
of sentence, be deported immediately
without further proceedings by the Bureau
of Immigration. If the offender is a
pharmaceutical company, its agent and/or
distributor, their license or permit to
operate or conduct business in the
Philippines shall be perpetually revoked,
and a fine triple the amount involved in the
violation shall be imposed.

50. In the case of objecting

denominational institutions, it appears that
religious leaders could be imprisoned
and/or fined, depending upon their
relationship to the institution.

SEC. 25. Appropriations

SEC. 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations

SEC. 27. Interpretation Clause

This Act shall be liberally construed to
ensure the provision, delivery and access
to reproductive health care services, and to
promote, protect and fulfill women's
reproductive health and rights.

51. This section is likely to be used to

justify suppression of freedom of
conscience among health care workers.
See Comment 15.

SEC. 28. Separability Clause

SEC. 29. Repealing Clause
SEC. 30. Effectivity
http://www.consciencelaws.org/law/commentary/legal055-005.aspx