Federal · Title 42 — Public Health and Welfare

42 U.S.C. § 300a: Sterilization or abortion

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute prohibits healthcare entities and individuals receiving federal funding from requiring performance of sterilization or abortion procedures contrary to religious or moral beliefs, and from discriminating based on such beliefs.

Read the full statutory text
such individual to perform or assist in the performance of any sterilization procedure or abortion if his performance or assistance in the performance of such procedure or abortion would be contrary to his religious beliefs or moral convictions; or make its facilities available for the performance of any sterilization procedure or abortion if the performance of such procedure or abortion in such facilities is prohibited by the entity on the basis of religious beliefs or moral convictions, or provide any personnel for the performance or assistance in the performance of any sterilization procedure or abortion if the performance or assistance in the performance of such procedures or abortion by such personnel would be contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of such personnel. discriminate in the employment, promotion, or termination of employment of any physician or other health care personnel, or discriminate in the extension of staff or other privileges to any physician or other health care personnel, discriminate in the employment, promotion, or termination of employment of any physician or other health care personnel, or discriminate in the extension of staff or other privileges to any physician or other health care personnel, No individual shall be required to perform or assist in the performance of any part of a health service program or research activity funded in whole or in part under a program administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services if his performance or assistance in the performance of such part of such program or activity would be contrary to his religious beliefs or moral convictions. No entity which receives, after September 29, 1979 , any grant, contract, loan, loan guarantee, or interest subsidy under the Public Health Service Act [ 42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.], the Community Mental Health Centers Act [ 42 U.S.C. 2689 et seq.], or the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 [ 42 U.S.C. 15001 et seq.] may deny admission or otherwise discriminate against any applicant (including applicants for internships and residencies) for training or study because of the applicant’s reluctance, or willingness, to counsel, suggest, recommend, assist, or in any way participate in the performance of abortions or sterilizations contrary to or consistent with the applicant’s religious beliefs or moral convictions.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.