Bill > S5255

This bill, titled the "Military Chaplains Modernization Act of 2026," aims to clarify and strengthen the roles, responsibilities, and protections of chaplains within the U.S. Armed Forces. It defines a chaplain as a qualified religious professional accountable to both their religious-endorsing organization and the military, ensuring they can perform their duties consistent with their sincerely held religious beliefs without fear of retaliation or censorship. The bill also establishes specific advisory roles for Chiefs of Chaplains and Deputy Chiefs of Chaplains within the Army, Navy, and Air Force, including their service as principal advisors to senior military leaders on matters of religious support and spiritual readiness. Furthermore, it outlines the duties of chaplains, such as providing pastoral care, facilitating religious practices, and advising commanders on religious accommodation requests, while also detailing protections against being compelled to perform actions contrary to their religious beliefs and ensuring that violations of these protections are subject to prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.