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US HR644

Conscience Protection Act of 2017


summary

Introduced
01/24/2017
In Committee
01/24/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018

Introduced Session

115th Congress

Bill Summary

Conscience Protection Act of 2017 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to codify the prohibition against the federal government and state and local governments that receive federal financial assistance for health-related activities penalizing or discriminating against a health care provider based on the provider's refusal to be involved in, or provide coverage for, abortion. Health care providers include health care professionals, health care facilities, social services providers, health care professional training programs, and health insurers. The Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), must investigate complaints alleging discrimination based on an individual's religious belief, moral conviction, or refusal to be involved in an abortion. DOJ or any entity adversely affected by such discrimination may obtain equitable or legal relief in a civil action. Administrative remedies do not need to be sought or exhausted prior to commencing an action or granting relief. Such an action may be brought against a governmental entity.

AI Summary

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the federal government and state/local governments that receive federal financial assistance from penalizing or discriminating against healthcare providers who refuse to participate in or provide coverage for abortion. The bill designates the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Department of Justice, to investigate complaints of such discrimination. It also allows the Attorney General or any entity adversely affected to seek equitable or legal relief in a civil action, without first exhausting administrative remedies. The bill aims to codify existing federal policy on conscience rights in healthcare and provide a private right of action to enforce these protections.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (141)

Diane Black (R)* Ralph Abraham (R),  Robert Aderholt (R),  Rick Allen (R),  Justin Amash (LIB),  Jodey Arrington (R),  Brian Babin (R),  Don Bacon (R),  Jim Banks (R),  Jack Bergman (R),  Andy Biggs (R),  Gus Bilirakis (R),  Mike Bishop (R),  Rob Bishop (R),  Marsha Blackburn (R),  Kevin Brady (R),  Dave Brat (R),  Jim Bridenstine (R),  Larry Bucshon (R),  Michael Burgess (R),  Bradley Byrne (R),  Buddy Carter (R),  Steve Chabot (R),  Michael Cloud (R),  Chris Collins (R),  Doug Collins (R),  K. Michael Conaway (R),  Kevin Cramer (R),  Rick Crawford (R),  John Culberson (R),  Warren Davidson (R),  Rodney Davis (R),  Scott DesJarlais (R),  Sean Duffy (R),  Jeff Duncan (R),  John Duncan (R),  Tom Emmer (R),  Blake Farenthold (R),  Drew Ferguson (R),  Chuck Fleischmann (R),  Bill Flores (R),  Jeff Fortenberry (R),  Virginia Foxx (R),  Trent Franks (R),  Mike Gallagher (R),  Greg Gianforte (R),  Bob Gibbs (R),  Louie Gohmert (R),  Bob Goodlatte (R),  Paul Gosar (R),  Sam Graves (R),  Tom Graves (R),  Morgan Griffith (R),  Glenn Grothman (R),  Brett Guthrie (R),  Karen Handel (R),  Andy Harris (R),  Vicky Hartzler (R),  Jeb Hensarling (R),  Jody Hice (R),  Clay Higgins (R),  French Hill (R),  Richard Hudson (R),  Bill Huizenga (R),  Randy Hultgren (R),  Evan Jenkins (R),  Lynn Jenkins (R),  Bill Johnson (R),  Mike Johnson (R),  Sam Johnson (R),  Walter Jones (R),  Jim Jordan (R),  Dave Joyce (R),  Mike Kelly (R),  Trent Kelly (R),  Steve King (R),  David Kustoff (R),  Raúl Labrador (R),  Darin LaHood (R),  Doug LaMalfa (R),  Doug Lamborn (R),  Bob Latta (R),  Daniel Lipinski (D),  Billy Long (R),  Barry Loudermilk (R),  Mia Love (R),  Blaine Luetkemeyer (R),  Kenny Marchant (R),  Roger Marshall (R),  Thomas Massie (R),  Tom McClintock (R),  David McKinley (R),  Mark Meadows (R),  Luke Messer (R),  Paul Mitchell (I),  John Moolenaar (R),  Alex Mooney (R),  Tim Murphy (R),  Dan Newhouse (R),  Kristi Noem (R),  Ralph Norman (R),  Pete Olson (R),  Steven Palazzo (R),  Gary Palmer (R),  Stevan Pearce (R),  Scott Perry (R),  Collin Peterson (D),  Robert Pittenger (R),  Ted Poe (R),  Bill Posey (R),  John Ratcliffe (R),  James Renacci (R),  Martha Roby (R),  David Roe (R),  Todd Rokita (R),  Thomas Rooney (R),  Peter Roskam (R),  Keith Rothfus (R),  John Rutherford (R),  Steve Scalise (R),  Austin Scott (R),  Pete Sessions (R),  Adrian Smith (R),  Chris Smith (R),  Lloyd Smucker (R),  Chris Stewart (R),  Mike Turner (R),  Ann Wagner (R),  Tim Walberg (R),  Mark Walker (R),  Jackie Walorski (R),  Randy Weber (R),  Daniel Webster (R),  Brad Wenstrup (R),  Roger Williams (R),  Joe Wilson (R),  Rob Wittman (R),  Kevin Yoder (R),  Ted Yoho (R),  David Young (R),  Lee Zeldin (R), 

Last Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (on 01/24/2017)

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