Conscience Rule Effective Date Moved to Nov. 22, 2019

On May 21, 2019, HHS finalized its conscience protection rule that is set to go into effect on July 22, 2019. In light of significant litigation over the rule, HHS agreed to a stipulated request to delay the effective date of the rule until November 22, 2019, pursuant to Administrative Procedure Act § 705, in order to allow the parties more time to respond to the litigation and to grant entities affected by the rule more time to prepare for compliance. 

Roger Severino, Former Director of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS said, “The rule gives life and enforcement tools to conscience protection laws that have been on the books for decades.  Protecting conscience and religious freedom fosters greater diversity in the healthcare space.  We will defend the rule vigorously.”

View the Northern District of California Stipulation and Order.*

View the Southern District of New York Stipulation and Order.*

View the District of Maryland Stipulation.*

*People using assistive technology may not be able to fully access information in these files.  For assistance, please contact the OCR Call Center at OCRMail@hhs.gov or (800) 368-1019.