Christian Medical & Dental Associations v. Bonta

A Christian physician and the Christian Medical & Dental Associations are suing the state of California after it enacted a law that requires doctors to participate in physician-assisted suicide against their religious convictions and professional ethics.

Case timeline

• October 2021: California passed SB 380, which forced physicians to participate in the process of assisted suicide, even when a doctor has conscientious objections.
• February 2022: On behalf of CMDA and its members like Dr. Leslee Cochrane, ADF filed suit against the state of California to prevent the government from forcing health-care professionals to violate their conscience.
• March 2022: ADF filed a motion for preliminary injunction to halt enforcement of California’s law while the lawsuit proceeded.
• September 2022: A federal court granted ADF’s motion.
• May 2023: California agreed to a settlement in which it vowed to no longer force doctors to participate in physician-assisted suicide. It also paid $300,000 toward attorneys’ fees for the doctors who brought the lawsuit.