Conscience Protection Act of 2017
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S 301 — Conscience Protection Act of 2017
Last action — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
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.
Bill Text
- Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html February 03, 2017
Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.
The bill adds provisions to prohibit governmental discrimination against health care providers who do not participate in abortion-related activities and establishes a private right of action for violations of these provisions.
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Title II of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 202 et seq.)
SEC. 245A. PROHIBITING GOVERNMENTAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PROVIDERS OF HEALTH SERVICES THAT ARE NOT INVOLVED IN ABORTION. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other law, the Federal Government, and any State or local government that receives Federal financial assistance, may not penalize, retaliate against, or otherwise discriminate against a health care provider on the basis that the provider does not-- (1) perform, refer for, pay for, or otherwise participate in abortion; (2) provide or sponsor abortion coverage; or (3) facilitate or make arrangements for any of the activities specified in this subsection.
This change prohibits discrimination against health care providers based on their decision not to participate in abortion-related activities.
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Title II of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 202 et seq.)
SEC. 245B. CIVIL ACTION FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS. (a) In General.--A qualified party may, in a civil action, obtain appropriate relief with regard to a designated violation.
This change creates a civil action for individuals or entities adversely affected by violations of the new discrimination prohibitions.
Action History
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Introduced in Senate
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sponsors
- James Lankford · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Lankford, James Republican
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (546)
546 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 546 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 301 do?
- 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.
- Who sponsors S 301?
- S 301 is sponsored by Lankford, James (Republican).
- What is the current status of S 301?
- This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track S 301?
- Track S 301 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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