conscience clause

American  

noun

1. a clause or article in an act or law that exempts persons whose conscientious or religious scruples forbid their compliance.

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conscience clause British  

noun

1. a clause in a law or contract exempting persons with moral scruples

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Etymology

Origin of conscience clause

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

conscience clause

At the same time the constitutional authority found that certain provisions of the legislation required clarification, including the so-called conscience clause, which allows healthcare professionals to refuse to take part in the procedure.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Melissa Lauber, communications director for the Baltimore-Washington Conference, said none of the region’s 603 United Methodist churches have come forward to ask for disaffiliation under the conscience clause.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 11, 2022

Mike Kreidler said he believes “very keenly in the separation of church and state” and knows that the state’s conscience clause gives protection to religious health care providers.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 17, 2021

His other most notable legislative effort involved the Religious Liberty Protection Act, essentially a conscience clause designed to limit state and local statutes that interfere with people’s free exercise of religion.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 24, 2016

He was an early advocate of the opening of museums on Sundays, and of a conscience clause to be enforced in all schools receiving State assistance.

From Historical and Political Essays by William Edward Hartpole Lecky