Summary:
Equality Act

Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation in places of public accommodation.

Defines:

 "sex" to include a sex stereotype, sexual orientation or gender identity, and pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition; "sexual orientation" as homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality; and "gender identity" as gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or characteristics, regardless of the individual's designated sex at birth. Expands the categories of public accommodations to include places or establishments that provide:

 exhibitions, recreation, exercise, amusement, gatherings, or displays; goods, services, or programs, including a store, a shopping center, an online retailer or service provider, a salon, a bank, a gas station, a food bank, a service or care center, a shelter, a travel agency, a funeral parlor, or a health care, accounting, or legal service; or transportation services. Prohibits "establishment" from being construed to be limited to a physical facility or place.

Authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to bring a civil action if it receives a complaint from an individual who claims to be:

 denied equal utilization of a public facility owned, operated, or managed by a state (other than public schools or colleges) on account of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity; or denied admission to, or not permitted to continue attending, a public college by reason of sexual orientation or gender identity, thereby expanding DOJ's existing authority to bring such actions for complaints based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Revises public school desegregation standards to provide for the assignment of students without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity.

Prohibits programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance from denying benefits to, or discriminating against, persons based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity, subject to the same exceptions and conditions that currently apply to unlawful employment practices based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Requires employers to recognize individuals in accordance with their gender identity if sex is a bona fide occupational qualification that is reasonably necessary to the normal operation of that particular business or enterprise.

Provides government employees with protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Authorizes DOJ to intervene in equal protection actions in federal court on account of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Requires protections against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin to include protections against discrimination based on: (1) an association with another person who is a member of such a protected class; or (2) a perception or belief, even if inaccurate, that an individual is a member of such a protected class. Prohibits the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 from providing a claim, defense, or basis for challenging such protections.

Prohibits an individual from being denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room, and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual's gender identity.

Amends the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and jury selection standards to add sexual orientation and gender identity as classes protected against discrimination under such laws.

equality act amends civil rights act include sex sexual orientation gender identity prohibited categories discrimination segregation places public accommodation defines sex include sex sexual orientation gender identity pregnancy childbirth related medical condition sexual orientation homosexuality bisexuality gender identity gender related identity appearance mannerisms characteristics regardless individual designated sex birth expands categories public accommodations include places establishments provide exhibitions recreation exercise amusement displays goods services programs including store shopping center online retailer service provider bank gas station food bank service care center shelter travel agency funeral health care accounting legal service transportation services prohibits establishment construed limited physical facility place authorizes department_of_justice doj bring civil action receives complaint individual claims denied equal utilization public facility owned operated managed state public schools colleges account sex sexual orientation gender identity denied admission permitted continue attending public college reason sexual orientation gender identity expanding doj existing authority bring actions complaints based race color religion sex national origin revises public school standards provide assignment students regard sexual orientation gender identity prohibits programs activities receiving federal financial assistance denying benefits discriminating persons based sex sexual orientation gender identity prohibits employers employees discriminating based sexual orientation gender identity subject exceptions conditions currently apply unlawful employment practices based race color religion sex national origin requires employers recognize individuals accordance gender identity sex bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary normal operation particular business enterprise provides government employees protections discrimination based sexual orientation gender identity authorizes doj intervene equal protection actions federal court account sexual orientation gender identity requires protections discrimination based race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin include protections discrimination based association person member protected class perception belief inaccurate individual member protected class prohibits religious freedom restoration act providing claim defense basis challenging protections prohibits individual denied access shared facility including restroom room dressing room accordance individual gender identity amends fair housing act equal_credit_opportunity_act jury selection standards add sexual orientation gender identity classes protected discrimination laws


Summary:
Unpaid Intern Protection Act of 2015

Prohibits employers from discriminating against unpaid interns on the basis of: (1) race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or age; or (2) disability if such intern can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

 Applies procedures from the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to claims for a violation of this Act.

Authorizes federal courts to grant legal and equitable relief.

Prohibits states from being immune under the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution from an action in a federal court for a violation of this Act.

Civil rights and liberties, minority issues

unpaid intern protection act prohibits employers discriminating unpaid interns basis race color religion sex national origin age disability intern perform essential functions position reasonable accommodation applies procedures civil rights act age discrimination employment act americans disabilities act claims violation act authorizes federal courts grant legal equitable relief prohibits states immune eleventh amendment constitution action federal court violation act


Summary:
Ruthie and Connie LGBT Elder Americans Act of 2015

Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include LGBT individuals (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals) within the purview of such Act, particularly their status as LGBT individuals among those with the greatest social need.

Authorizes the Administration of Aging to: (1) designate within it a person with responsibility for addressing issues affecting LGBT older individuals; (2) conduct studies and collect data to determine the services needed by LGBT older individuals; and (3) establish and operate the National Resource Center on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Aging.

Revises the list of activities of national significance for families and other caregivers, for which the Administration's grants may be used, to specify those provided to individuals with greatest social need which: (1) address physical and mental health, disabilities, and health disparities; (2) provide long-term care, including in-home and community-based care; (3) provide informal care and formal care in a facility setting; (4) provide access to culturally responsive health and human services; and (5) address other gaps in assistance and issues of particular importance to older individuals with the greatest social need.

Requires a State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to collect and analyze discrimination data with respect to LGBT older individuals in the admission to, transfer or discharge from, or lack of adequate care provided in long-term care settings.

elder americans act amends older americans act include lgbt individuals lesbian gay bisexual transgendered individuals purview act particularly status lgbt individuals greatest social need authorizes administration aging designate person responsibility addressing issues affecting lgbt older individuals conduct studies collect data determine services needed lgbt older individuals establish operate revises list activities national significance families caregivers administration grants specify provided individuals greatest social need address physical mental health disabilities health disparities provide long term care including home community based care provide informal care formal care facility setting provide access culturally responsive health human services address gaps assistance issues particular importance older individuals greatest social need requires state long term care ombudsman collect analyze discrimination data respect lgbt older individuals admission transfer discharge lack adequate care provided long term care settings


Summary:
Social Security Parent Penalty Repeal Act

 This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to direct the Social Security Administration to determine and publish in the Federal Register on or before November 1 of each year a revised contribution and benefit base, which shall be effective with respect to remuneration paid in subsequent calendar and taxable years. The bill also revises the formula for determining that base.

The number of an individual's benefit computation years, for the purpose of determining the individual's primary OASDI insurance amount, shall be further reduced (after a specified initial reduction) by the number of the individual's childcare years (not exceeding five), except that not more than two years may be determined to be a childcare year on the basis of the individual's status as a primary caregiver for the same child.

"Childcare year" means an elapsed year of the individual:

 during which the individual is the primary caregiver for a child under age 6, and for which the total of the individual's wages and self-employment income is $0.

repeal act bill amends title old age survivors disability insurance oasdi social security act direct social_security_administration determine publish federal_register november year revised contribution benefit base shall effective respect remuneration paid subsequent calendar taxable years bill revises formula determining base number individual benefit computation years purpose determining individual primary oasdi insurance shall reduced specified initial reduction number individual childcare years exceeding years determined childcare year basis individual status primary caregiver child childcare year means elapsed year individual individual primary caregiver child age total individual wages self employment income


Summary:
Clarification of Federal Employment Protections Act

This bill revises personnel management and merit system requirements that protect certain federal employees against discrimination to include a provision that prohibits personnel actions from being made on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

bill revises personnel management merit system requirements protect certain federal employees discrimination include provision prohibits personnel actions basis sexual orientation gender identity


Summary:
Mandating America's Responsibility To Limit Abuse, Negligence and Depravity Act or the MARTLAND Act

This bill states that it is U.S. policy that human rights violations, including child abuse, shall not be conducted or condoned on any U.S. military installation, whether located in the United States or overseas, by either U.S. citizens or nationals or foreign nationals.

The Department of Defense (DOD) shall submit to Congress a comprehensive plan detailing the procedures by which DOD will implement this policy.

"Military installation" shall include U.S. combat outposts and forward operating locations.

responsibility limit abuse negligence act act bill states policy human rights violations including child abuse shall conducted military installation located united_states overseas citizens nationals foreign nationals department_of_defense dod shall submit congress comprehensive plan detailing procedures dod implement policy military installation shall include combat forward operating locations


Summary:
Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership Act of 2016

This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to establish a Gender Diversity Advisory Group, composed of government, academic, and private sector representatives, to study strategies to increase gender diversity among the members of the boards of directors of issuers.

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is amended to direct the SEC, by rule, to require each issuer to disclose, in any proxy or consent solicitation material for an annual shareholders meeting, the gender composition of the issuer's board of directors and nominees for it.

corporate leadership act bill directs securities_and_exchange_commission sec establish composed government academic private sector representatives study strategies increase gender diversity members boards directors issuers securities_exchange_act amended direct sec rule require issuer disclose proxy consent solicitation material annual shareholders meeting gender composition issuer board directors nominees


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act

 (Sec. 3) This bill amends the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act to authorize the National Science Foundation to encourage its entrepreneurial programs to recruit and support women to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house passed version repeated promoting women entrepreneurship act sec bill amends authorize national_science_foundation encourage entrepreneurial programs recruit support women extend focus laboratory commercial world


Summary:
Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016

This bill permanently reauthorizes the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007 (Emmett Till Act) and expands the responsibilities of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to include the investigation and prosecution of criminal civil rights statutes violations that resulted in a death, regardless of when the violations occurred. (Currently, the Emmett Till Act is scheduled to expire at the end of FY2017 and such investigations are limited to violations that occurred before 1970.)

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that all authorities with jurisdiction should: (1) coordinate information sharing; (2) hold accountable individuals who were perpetrators of, or accomplices in, unsolved civil rights murders; and (3) comply with Freedom of Information Act requests.

In investigating a complaint, DOJ may coordinate activities with entities that DOJ determines to be appropriate.

DOJ shall reopen and review cases closed without an in-person investigation conducted by DOJ or the FBI.

DOJ must establish a task force to conduct a thorough investigation of Emmett Till Act cases.

In an annual report to Congress, DOJ must indicate: (1) the number of cases referred by a civil rights organization, an institution of higher education, or a state or local law enforcement agency; (2) the number of such cases that resulted in federal charges; (3) the date any such charges were filed; (4) whether DOJ has declined to prosecute or participate in an investigation of a referred case; and (5) any activity on reopened cases.

DOJ may award grants to civil rights organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities for expenses associated with investigating offenses under the Emmett Till Act.

emmett till unsolved civil rights crimes reauthorization act bill permanently reauthorizes emmett till unsolved civil rights crime act expands responsibilities department_of_justice doj federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi include investigation prosecution criminal civil rights statutes violations resulted death regardless violations occurred currently emmett till act scheduled expire end fy2017 investigations limited violations occurred bill expresses sense congress authorities jurisdiction coordinate information sharing hold accountable individuals perpetrators unsolved civil rights murders comply requests investigating complaint doj coordinate activities entities doj determines appropriate doj shall reopen review cases closed person investigation conducted doj fbi doj establish task force conduct thorough investigation cases annual report congress doj indicate number cases referred civil rights organization institution higher education state local law enforcement agency number cases resulted federal charges date charges filed doj declined prosecute participate investigation referred case activity reopened cases doj award grants civil rights organizations institutions higher education eligible entities expenses associated investigating offenses emmett till act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it passed the House on September 21, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Bathrooms Accessible in Every Situation or BABIES Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires restrooms in a public building to be equipped with baby changing facilities that the General Services Administration (GSA) determines are physically safe, sanitary, and appropriate. "Public building" means a public building controlled by the GSA's Public Building Service.

Such requirement shall be subject to any reasonable accommodations that may be made for individuals in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Such requirement shall be inapplicable:

 to a restroom in a public building that is not available or accessible for public use, to a restroom that contains clear and conspicuous signage indicating where a restroom with a baby changing table is located on the same floor of such building, if new construction would be required to install a baby changing facility in the building and the cost of such construction is unfeasible, or to a building not subject to an alteration for which any appropriations must be approved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

measure amended passed house september summary version repeated situation babies act sec bill requires restrooms public building equipped baby changing facilities general_services_administration gsa determines physically safe sanitary appropriate public building means public building controlled gsa requirement shall subject reasonable accommodations individuals accordance americans disabilities act requirement shall inapplicable restroom public building available accessible public use restroom contains clear conspicuous signage indicating restroom baby changing table located floor building new construction required install baby changing facility building cost construction building subject alteration appropriations approved senate_committee_on_environment_and_public_works house_committee_on_transportation_and_infrastructure


Summary:
Workplace Advancement Act

This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discharging or retaliating against any employee because such employee has inquired about, discussed, or disclosed comparative compensation information for the purpose of determining whether the employer is compensating an employee in a manner that provides equal pay for equal work.

The prohibition does not apply to instances in which an employee who has access to the wage information of other employees as a part of the employee's job functions discloses such wages to an individual who has no access to them, except in response to a charge or complaint or in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action with respect to prohibited sex discrimination, including an investigation conducted by the employer.

workplace advancement act bill amends fair labor standards act prohibit discharging retaliating employee employee discussed disclosed comparative compensation information purpose determining employer compensating employee manner provides equal pay equal work prohibition apply instances employee access wage information employees employee job functions discloses wages individual access response charge complaint furtherance investigation proceeding hearing action respect prohibited sex discrimination including investigation conducted employer


Summary:
Prohibiting the Usurpation of Bathroom Laws through Independent Choice School Act (PUBLIC School Act) of 2016

 This bill declares that it shall not be unlawful under federal law for a state or local government to enact or enforce a policy regarding the use of sex-segregated bathrooms or locker rooms of educational institutions on the basis of gender identity. The bill prohibits the reduction or denial of federal financial assistance on the basis that a state or local government enacts or enforces such a policy.

prohibiting bathroom laws independent choice school act public school act bill declares shall unlawful federal law state local government enact enforce policy use sex segregated rooms educational institutions basis gender identity bill prohibits reduction denial federal financial assistance basis state local government enacts enforces policy


Summary:
Student Privacy Protection and Safety Act of 2016

This bill invalidates the Dear Colleague Letter on Transgender Students, dated May 13, 2016, that was issued by the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to provide guidance to schools receiving federal financial assistance about the treatment of transgender students under the prohibitions against sex discrimination in title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

The invalidation applies until superseded by an Act of Congress that directs federal departments to issue guidance on transgender issues.

safety act bill invalidates dated issued department_of_justice department_of_education provide guidance schools receiving federal financial assistance treatment transgender students prohibitions sex discrimination title education_amendments applies superseded act congress directs federal departments issue guidance transgender issues


Summary:
Title IX Clarification Act of 2016

This bill amends title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to define "sex" as the biological sex of an individual for purposes of enforcing the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sex under education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.

title clarification act bill amends title education_amendments define sex biological sex individual purposes enforcing prohibition discrimination basis sex education programs activities receiving federal financial assistance


Summary:
Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2016

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should be a global leader in promoting the participation of women in conflict prevention, management, and resolution and post-conflict relief and recovery efforts; and (2) the political participation and leadership of women in fragile environments, particularly during democratic transitions, is critical to sustaining democratic institutions.

The President, not later than October 1 of 2017, 2022, and 2027, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and make public a Women, Peace, and Security Strategy, which shall:

 be aligned with other nations' plans to improve the participation of women in peace and security processes, conflict prevention, peace building, and decision-making institutions; and include goals and evaluation plans to ensure strategy effectiveness. Such a strategy shall include a specific implementation plan from each relevant federal agency.

The President is urged to promote women's participation in conflict prevention.

 It is the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) provide technical assistance and training to female negotiators, peace builders, and stakeholders (non-governmental and private sector entities engaged in or affected by conflict prevention and stabilization, peace building, security, or related efforts); (2) address security-related barriers to women's participation; (3) increase women's participation in U.S.-funded programs that provide foreign nationals with law enforcement, rule of law, or military education training; (4) support appropriate local organizations, especially women's peace building organizations; and (5) expand gender analysis to improve program design.

 The Department of State shall ensure that personnel responsible for, or deploying to, countries or regions considered to be at risk of undergoing, or emerging from, violent conflict obtain training in the following areas, each of which shall include a focus on ensuring participation by women:

 conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution; protecting civilians from violence, exploitation, and trafficking in persons; and international human rights law. The Department of Defense shall ensure that relevant personnel receive training in:

 conflict prevention, peace processes, mitigation, resolution, and security initiatives that addresses the importance of participation by women; and gender considerations and participation by women, including training regarding international human rights law and protecting civilians from violence, exploitation, and trafficking in persons. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development shall establish guidelines for overseas U.S. personnel to consult with stakeholders regarding U.S. efforts to:

 prevent, mitigate, or resolve violent conflict; and enhance the success of mediation and negotiation processes by ensuring the meaningful participation of women. The State Department is urged to work with international, regional, national, and local organizations to increase the participation of women in international peacekeeping operations.

 The State Department shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) training regarding the participation of women in conflict resolution, and (2) guidelines established for overseas personnel to engage in stakeholder consultations.

 The President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that evaluates the implementation of such strategy and the impact of U.S. diplomatic efforts and foreign assistance programs to promote the participation of women.

women peace security act bill expresses sense congress united_states global leader promoting participation women conflict prevention management resolution post conflict relief recovery efforts political participation leadership women fragile environments particularly democratic transitions critical sustaining democratic institutions president later october shall submit appropriate congressional committees public women peace security strategy shall aligned nations plans improve participation women peace security processes conflict prevention peace building decision making institutions include goals evaluation plans ensure strategy effectiveness strategy shall include specific implementation plan relevant federal agency president promote women participation conflict prevention sense congress president provide technical assistance training female peace stakeholders non governmental private sector entities engaged affected conflict prevention stabilization peace building security related efforts address security related barriers women participation increase women participation programs provide foreign nationals law enforcement rule law military education training support appropriate local organizations especially women peace building organizations expand gender analysis improve program design department_of_state shall ensure personnel responsible deploying countries regions considered risk undergoing emerging violent conflict obtain training following areas shall include focus ensuring participation women conflict prevention mitigation resolution protecting civilians violence exploitation trafficking persons international human rights law department_of_defense shall ensure relevant personnel receive training conflict prevention peace processes mitigation resolution security initiatives addresses importance participation women gender considerations participation women including training international human rights law protecting civilians violence exploitation trafficking persons state_department international_development shall establish guidelines overseas personnel consult stakeholders efforts prevent mitigate resolve violent conflict enhance success mediation negotiation processes ensuring meaningful participation women state_department work international regional national local organizations increase participation women international peacekeeping operations state_department shall brief appropriate congressional committees training participation women conflict resolution guidelines established overseas personnel engage stakeholder consultations president shall submit appropriate congressional committees report evaluates implementation strategy impact diplomatic efforts foreign assistance programs promote participation women


Summary:
LGBT Data Inclusion Act

This bill requires federal agencies that collect information through a survey that includes demographic data (where subjects self-report information or a proxy provides information about the subject or responds for all persons in a household) to establish data standards that require:

 a determination of which existing data sets exclude information about sexual orientation and gender identity; an identification, and a use, of appropriate methods to include questions on sexual orientation and gender identity in surveys that facilitate categorization and voluntary participation and that preserve privacy and confidentiality; and a routine assessment of needed changes in survey methods related to asking such questions. Agencies that publish reports relying on survey demographic data must include information on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Individuals shall not be: (1) required by this bill to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to an agency; or (2) subjected to fines or penalties for refusing to answer, or providing a false answer to, any survey question regarding gender identity or sexual orientation.

Nothing in this bill shall be construed to permit the use of such collected information in a manner that would adversely affect an individual.

inclusion act bill requires federal agencies collect information survey includes demographic data subjects self report information proxy provides information subject responds persons household establish data standards require determination existing data sets exclude information sexual orientation gender identity identification use appropriate methods include questions sexual orientation gender identity surveys facilitate categorization voluntary participation preserve privacy confidentiality routine assessment needed changes survey methods related asking questions agencies publish reports relying survey demographic data include information sexual orientation gender identity individuals shall required bill disclose sexual orientation gender identity agency subjected fines penalties refusing answer providing false answer survey question gender identity sexual orientation bill shall construed permit use collected information manner adversely affect individual


Summary:
Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act and the Social Security Act (SSAct) to expand the collection and analysis of data in programs of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The bill sets forth provisions regarding cultural competence in federal health care programs and services, including provisions establishing the Robert T. Matsui Center for Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Health Care.

HHS must engage in activities regarding health workforce diversity, including: (1) establishing a working group and a technical clearinghouse; (2) awarding grants to academic institutions; (3) establishing a health and health care disparities education program; and (4) providing for scholarships, student loan repayment and loan forgiveness, and research fellowships.

Health Empowerment Zone Act of 2016

HHS may designate areas as health empowerment zones in communities that experience disproportionate disparities in health status and health care.

HHS must engage in activities regarding the quality of and access to health care, including expanding access to health care and health care insurance for immigrants, designating centers of excellence at public hospitals and other health systems serving minority patients, increasing Medicaid payments to territories and to Native Hawaiian health centers, and providing for border health grants.

The bill establishes: (1) programs to reduce health disparities affecting minorities and rural residents, and (2) an Office of Minority Health in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to revise requirements for qualified health plans, including to require plans to provide information on the availability of care in languages other than English. (Qualified health plans are sold on health insurance exchanges, are the only plans eligible for premium subsidies, and fulfill an individual's requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage.)

The bill sets forth provisions regarding the health of women and children, including provisions to expand access to federal programs for immigrant women and children, eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes, and establish programs to reduce teenage pregnancies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must develop a multisite gestational diabetes research project.

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the SSAct to expand coverage of marriage and family therapist services, mental health counselor services, and substance abuse counselor services.

Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2016

HHS must implement the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Program to achieve a reduction of at least 25% in the mortality rate of lung cancer by 2020.

Prostate Research, Outreach, Screening, Testing, Access, and Treatment Effectiveness Act of 2016 or the PROSTATE Act

The VA must take action to address prostate cancer, including by establishing the Interagency Prostate Cancer Coordination and Education Task Force.

Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention Act of 2016

HHS must implement programs to address hepatitis B and C.

Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act of 2016

The CDC must establish the National Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Disease Registry.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must develop guidelines to screen minority patient populations which have a higher than average risk for many chronic diseases and cancers.

This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the SSAct, including to expand coverage to include routine medical costs when a beneficiary is in an approved clinical trial.

HHS must expand HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention activities, including: (1) identification of issues that impede disease status awareness and retention in appropriate care, (2) research into treatment adherence strategies, (3) grants to public health agencies and faith-based organizations, (4) the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, and (5) health workforce training for culturally competent care.

HHS must award grants for comprehensive sex education programs for adolescents. A program that supports abstinence education is eliminated.

Community organizations may distribute sexual barrier protection devices (e.g., condoms) and engage in sexually transmitted infection counseling and prevention education in federal correctional facilities.

Stop AIDS in Prison Act

The Bureau of Prisons must develop a comprehensive policy to provide HIV testing, treatment, and prevention for inmates.

Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disorders Health Disparities Act The National Institutes of Health must expand research addressing sleep health disparities. The CDC must expand activities regarding sleep disorders. The bill sets forth provisions regarding the use of health information technology to reduce health disparities, particularly in racial and ethnic minority communities.

The bill prohibits discrimination in federal health care programs and research activities.

HHS must establish: (1) the Office of Health Disparities in the Office for Civil Rights, (2) civil rights compliance offices in each HHS agency that administers health programs, and (3) a program at the National Center for Environmental Health on health impact assessment, which is the process of determining the potential effects of a policy, program, or project on health.

bill amends public_health_service_act social security act ssact expand collection analysis data programs department_of_health_and_human_services hhs bill sets forth provisions cultural competence federal health care programs services including provisions establishing robert center cultural linguistic competence health care hhs engage activities health workforce diversity including establishing working group technical clearinghouse awarding grants academic institutions establishing health health care disparities education program providing scholarships student loan repayment loan forgiveness research fellowships health empowerment zone act hhs designate areas health empowerment zones communities experience disproportionate disparities health status health care hhs engage activities quality access health care including expanding access health care health care insurance immigrants designating centers excellence public hospitals health systems serving minority patients increasing medicaid payments territories native hawaiian health centers providing border health grants bill establishes programs reduce health disparities affecting minorities rural residents office_of_minority_health department_of_veterans_affairs bill amends patient_protection affordable care act revise requirements qualified health plans including require plans provide information availability care languages english qualified health plans sold health insurance exchanges plans eligible premium subsidies fulfill individual requirement maintain minimum essential coverage bill sets forth provisions health women children including provisions expand access federal programs immigrant women children eliminate disparities maternal health outcomes establish programs reduce teenage pregnancies centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc develop multisite gestational diabetes research project bill amends title xviii medicare ssact expand coverage marriage family therapist services mental health counselor services substance abuse counselor services lung cancer mortality reduction act hhs implement achieve reduction mortality rate lung cancer prostate_research outreach screening testing access treatment effectiveness act prostate act action address prostate cancer including establishing interagency prostate cancer coordination education task force hhs implement programs address hepatitis bone marrow failure disease research treatment act cdc establish failure disease registry agency healthcare_research quality develop guidelines screen minority patient populations higher average risk chronic diseases cancers bill amends title xix medicaid ssact including expand coverage include routine medical costs beneficiary approved clinical trial hhs expand hiv aids treatment prevention activities including identification issues impede disease status awareness retention appropriate care research treatment adherence strategies grants public health agencies faith based organizations minority hiv aids initiative health workforce training culturally competent care hhs award grants comprehensive sex education programs adolescents program supports abstinence education eliminated community organizations distribute sexual barrier protection devices engage sexually transmitted infection counseling prevention education federal correctional facilities stop aids prison act bureau_of_prisons develop comprehensive policy provide hiv testing treatment prevention inmates sleep disparities act national_institutes_of_health expand research addressing sleep health disparities cdc expand activities sleep disorders bill sets forth provisions use health information technology reduce health disparities particularly racial ethnic minority communities bill prohibits discrimination federal health care programs research activities hhs establish civil rights compliance offices hhs agency administers health programs program health impact assessment process determining potential effects policy program project health


Summary:
Patsy T. Mink Gender Equity in Education Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish an Office for Gender Equity to support state and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and elementary and secondary schools in fully implementing title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs or activities. The office may provide grants and perform activities to reduce or prevent discrimination, bias, harassment, or violence based on actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions or stereotypes in all areas of education.

The office must: (1) provide technical assistance and annual training to title IX coordinators, and (2) develop a handbook for conducting self-evaluations of title IX compliance. The training must address "compound discrimination" (defined as discrimination based on sex and other characteristics, including race, ethnicity, national origin, disability status, religion, or age).

The office may award grants to educational entities and partnerships to:

 train students, teachers, faculty, and personnel; increase campus resources, facilities, and course offerings; support title IX coordinators in performing outreach, advocacy, and education; identify patterns or systemic problems in title IX compliance; strengthen prevention education and awareness programs; conduct campus climate and victimization surveys; identify gender inequities; and improve data collection and reporting of gender equity indicators from academic assessments, civil rights data, campus data, employment data, attendance and absenteeism data, or title IX coordinator-to-student ratios. ED must coordinate with the Institute of Education Sciences and other federal offices and entities to investigate, identify, and disseminate best practices to: (1) reduce and prevent sex stereotyping, bias, and discrimination in curricula and educational materials; (2) address sex-based harassment and violence on campuses; (3) develop counseling and career guidance training; (4) mitigate implicit bias in teaching and discipline; and (5) address the needs of students who face compound discrimination.

gender equity education act bill requires establish support state local educational agencies institutions higher education elementary secondary schools fully implementing title education_amendments prohibits discrimination basis sex federally funded education programs activities office provide grants perform activities reduce prevent discrimination bias harassment violence based actual perceived sex sexual orientation gender gender identity pregnancy childbirth related medical conditions stereotypes areas education office provide technical assistance annual training title coordinators develop handbook conducting self evaluations title compliance training address compound discrimination defined discrimination based sex characteristics including race ethnicity national origin disability status religion age office award grants educational entities partnerships train students teachers faculty personnel increase campus resources facilities course offerings support title coordinators performing outreach advocacy education identify patterns systemic problems title compliance strengthen prevention education awareness programs conduct campus climate victimization surveys identify gender inequities improve data collection reporting gender equity indicators academic assessments civil rights data campus data employment data attendance data title coordinator student ratios coordinate institute_of_education_sciences federal offices entities investigate identify disseminate best practices reduce prevent sex bias discrimination curricula educational materials address sex based harassment violence campuses develop counseling career guidance training mitigate implicit bias teaching discipline address needs students face compound discrimination


Summary:
Menstrual Products for Employees Act of 2016

This bill amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 by requiring the Department of Labor to issue a rule that requires private employers to provide free menstrual hygiene products for employees in their bathrooms.

products employees act bill amends occupational_safety_and_health_act requiring department_of_labor issue rule requires private employers provide free hygiene products employees


Summary:
Menstrual Products for Employees Act

This bill amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 by requiring the Department of Labor to issue a rule that requires each private employer with at least 100 employees to provide free menstrual hygiene products for their employees.

products employees act bill amends occupational_safety_and_health_act requiring department_of_labor issue rule requires private employer employees provide free hygiene products employees


Summary:
Don't Block LGBTQ Act of 2016

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit elementary schools, secondary schools, or libraries that receive discount rates for telecommunications services under the universal service support program from blocking Internet access to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer resources.

The bill does not prohibit schools or libraries from blocking content that is obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors.

block act bill amends communications act prohibit elementary schools secondary schools libraries receive discount rates telecommunications services universal service support program blocking internet access lesbian gay bisexual transgender resources bill prohibit schools libraries blocking content obscene child pornography harmful minors


Summary: This bill amends the Small Business Act to revise the Small Business Administration's criteria for awarding a grant to a women's business center to include the ability of the applicant to provide training and services to a representative number of unmarried women who are both socially and economically disadvantaged.

bill amends small_business_act revise small_business_administration criteria awarding grant women business center include ability applicant provide training services representative number unmarried women socially economically disadvantaged


Summary:
Screening With Dignity Act of 2016

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to:

 develop procedures to appropriately screen self-identified transgender air passengers, and conduct in-person training of all Transportation Security Administration Officers on such procedures. The FAA shall separately study and report on:

 the cost and feasibility of retrofitting advanced image technology screening equipment to distinguish between foreign objects and human body parts; and the disparate impact that such technology has on self-identified transgender passengers as opposed to the general public, including an examination of instances since 2010 in which such passengers were required to undergo a secondary screening after alarming the advanced imaging technology.

screening dignity act bill directs federal_aviation_administration faa develop procedures appropriately screen self identified transgender air passengers conduct person training transportation_security_administration officers procedures faa shall separately study report cost feasibility retrofitting advanced image technology screening equipment distinguish foreign objects human body parts disparate impact technology self identified transgender passengers opposed general public including examination instances passengers required undergo secondary screening advanced imaging technology


Summary:
Respect for Marriage Act

Amends the Defense of Marriage Act to repeal a provision that prohibited a state, territory, possession, or Indian tribe from being required to recognize any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other state, territory, possession, or tribe respecting a same sex marriage.

Amends the federal rules of construction added by such Act concerning the definitions of "marriage" and "spouse" to provide that, for purposes of any federal law in which marital status is a factor, an individual shall be considered married if that individual's marriage is valid in the state where the marriage was entered into or, in the case of a marriage entered into outside any state, if the marriage is valid in the place where entered into and the marriage could have been entered into in a state. Removes the definition of "spouse" (currently, a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife).

amends defense_of_marriage_act repeal provision prohibited state territory possession indian tribe required recognize public act record judicial proceeding state territory possession tribe respecting sex marriage amends federal rules construction added act concerning definitions marriage spouse provide purposes federal law marital status factor individual shall considered married individual marriage valid state marriage entered case marriage entered outside state marriage valid place entered marriage entered state removes definition spouse currently person opposite sex husband wife


Summary:
State Marriage Defense Act of 2015

Prohibits, for purposes of determining the meaning of any Act of Congress or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of U.S. administrative bureaus and agencies as applied with respect to individuals domiciled in a state or in any other territory or possession of the United States: (1) the term "marriage" from including any relationship that the state, territory, or possession does not recognize as a marriage; and (2) the term "spouse" from including an individual who is a party to a relationship that is not recognized as a marriage by that state, territory, or possession.

state marriage defense act prohibits purposes determining meaning act congress ruling regulation interpretation administrative bureaus agencies applied respect individuals domiciled state territory possession united_states term marriage including relationship state territory possession recognize marriage term spouse including individual party relationship recognized marriage state territory possession


Summary:
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2015

Prohibits public school students from being excluded from participating in, or subject to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates.

Considers harassment to be a form of discrimination.

Prohibits retaliation against anyone for opposing conduct made unlawful under this Act.

Authorizes federal departments and agencies to enforce these prohibitions by cutting off the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating them.

Allows an aggrieved individual to assert a violation of this Act in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees should they prevail.

Authorizes the Attorney General to institute a civil action in any appropriate U.S. district court for a violation of this Act.

Deems a state's receipt of federal educational assistance for a program to constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity for conduct prohibited under this Act regarding such program.

prohibits public school students excluded participating subject discrimination federally assisted educational program basis actual perceived sexual orientation gender identity associates considers harassment form discrimination prohibits retaliation opposing conduct unlawful act authorizes federal departments agencies enforce prohibitions cutting educational assistance recipients found violating allows aggrieved individual assert violation act judicial proceeding recover reasonable attorney fees prevail authorizes attorney general institute civil action appropriate district court violation act deems state receipt federal educational assistance program constitute waiver sovereign immunity conduct prohibited act program


Summary:
Jury Access for Capable Citizens and Equality in Service Selection Act of 2015 or the Jury ACCESS Act

Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit the exclusion of citizens from service as a grand or petit juror in U.S. district courts or the Court of International Trade on account of sexual orientation or gender identity (thereby expanding the current prohibition on exclusion on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status).

jury access capable citizens equality service selection act jury access act amends federal judicial code prohibit exclusion citizens service grand petit juror district courts account sexual orientation gender identity expanding current prohibition exclusion account race color religion sex national origin economic status


Summary:
Social Security and Marriage Equality Act

 Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act with respect to the determination of a valid marriage to account for marriages in jurisdictions other than a state.

Authorizes the courts of any state to find that an OASDI benefit applicant and an insured individual were validly married in a jurisdiction other than a state at the time the applicant files a benefit application or, if the insured individual is dead, at the time the individual died.

amends title old age survivors disability insurance oasdi social security act respect determination valid marriage account marriages jurisdictions state authorizes courts state find oasdi benefit applicant insured individual validly married jurisdiction state time applicant files benefit application insured individual dead time individual died


Summary:
Paycheck Fairness Act

 Amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for, enforcement of, and exceptions to prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages.

Revises the exception to the prohibition for a wage rate differential based on any other factor other than sex. Limits such factors to bona fide factors, such as education, training, or experience.

States that the bona fide factor defense shall apply only if the employer demonstrates that such factor: (1) is not based upon or derived from a sex-based differential in compensation, (2) is job-related with respect to the position in question, (3) is consistent with business necessity, and (4) accounts for the deferential in compensation at issue. Makes such defense inapplicable where the employee demonstrates that: (1) an alternative employment practice exists that would serve the same business purpose without producing such differential, and (2) the employer has refused to adopt such alternative practice.

Revises the prohibition against employer retaliation for employee complaints. Prohibits retaliation for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of the employee or another employee in response to a complaint or charge, or in furtherance of a sex discrimination investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, or an investigation conducted by the employer.

Makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages.

 Makes employers who violate sex discrimination prohibitions liable in a civil action for either compensatory or (except for the federal government) punitive damages.

States that any action brought to enforce the prohibition against sex discrimination may be maintained as a class action in which individuals may be joined as party plaintiffs without their written consent.

Authorizes the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in a sex discrimination action.

Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for negotiation skills training programs for girls and women. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Education to issue regulations or policy guidance to integrate such training into certain programs under their Departments. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and provide information to employers, labor organizations, and the general public regarding the means available to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. Establishes the Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation data and other employment-related data as anaylzed by the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in the enforcement of federal laws prohibiting pay discrimination. Directs: (1) the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to continue to collect data on woman workers in the Current Employment Statistics survey, (2) the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to use specified types of methods in investigating compensation discrimination and in enforcing pay equity, and (3) the Secretary to make accurate information on compensation discrimination readily available to the public. Directs the Secretary and the Commissioner [sic] of the EEOC jointly to develop technical assistance material to assist small businesses to comply with the requirements of this Act.

paycheck fairness act amends portion fair labor standards act known equal pay act revise remedies enforcement exceptions prohibitions sex discrimination payment wages revises exception prohibition wage rate differential based factor sex limits factors bona fide factors education training experience states bona fide factor defense shall apply employer demonstrates factor based derived sex based differential compensation job related respect position question consistent business necessity accounts compensation issue makes defense inapplicable employee demonstrates alternative employment practice exists serve business purpose producing differential employer refused adopt alternative practice revises prohibition employer retaliation employee complaints prohibits retaliation inquiring discussing disclosing wages employee employee response complaint charge furtherance sex discrimination investigation proceeding hearing action investigation conducted employer makes unlawful require employee sign contract waiver prohibiting employee disclosing information employee wages makes employers violate sex discrimination prohibitions liable civil action compensatory federal government punitive damages states action brought enforce prohibition sex discrimination maintained class action individuals joined party plaintiffs written consent authorizes secretary labor secretary seek additional compensatory punitive damages sex discrimination action requires equal_employment_opportunity_commission eeoc office_of_federal_contract_compliance_programs train eeoc employees affected individuals entities matters involving wage discrimination authorizes secretary grants eligible entities negotiation skills training programs girls women directs secretary secretary education issue regulations policy guidance integrate training certain programs departments directs secretary conduct studies provide information employers labor organizations general public means available eliminate pay disparities men women establishes secretary labor national_award_for_pay_equity workplace employer substantial effort eliminate pay disparities men women amends civil rights act require eeoc issue regulations collecting employers compensation data employment related data sex race national origin employees use enforcement federal laws prohibiting pay discrimination directs commissioner labor_statistics continue collect data woman workers current_employment_statistics survey office_of_federal_contract_compliance_programs use specified types methods investigating compensation discrimination enforcing pay equity secretary accurate information compensation discrimination readily available public directs secretary commissioner sic eeoc jointly develop technical assistance material assist small businesses comply requirements act


Summary:
Workplace Advancement Act

Prohibits discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex. (Allows payment of different wages under seniority systems, merit systems, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, or differentials based on any other factors other than sex.)

 Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discharging or retaliating against any employee because such employee has inquired about, discussed, or disclosed comparative compensation information for the purpose of determining whether the employer is compensating an employee in a manner that provides equal pay for equal work.

Makes such prohibition inapplicable to instances in which an employee who has access to the wage information of other employees as a part of such employee's job functions discloses the wages of such other employees other than in response to a charge or complaint or in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action under provisions prohibiting sex discrimination, including an investigation conducted by the employer.

workplace advancement act prohibits discrimination payment wages account sex allows payment different wages seniority systems merit systems systems measure earnings quantity quality production differentials based factors sex amends fair labor standards act prohibit discharging retaliating employee employee discussed disclosed comparative compensation information purpose determining employer compensating employee manner provides equal pay equal work makes prohibition inapplicable instances employee access wage information employees employee job functions discloses wages employees response charge complaint furtherance investigation proceeding hearing action provisions prohibiting sex discrimination including investigation conducted employer


Summary:
Protect Marriage from the Courts Act of 2015

Prohibits federal courts from having jurisdiction to adjudicate or enforce any claim pertaining to the validity, under the U.S. Constitution, of a state law or a state administrative or judicial decision that: (1) defines marriage as limited to the union of one man and one woman, or (2) refuses state recognition of, or allows the state to refuse recognition of, same-sex marriages performed and licensed in other states.

Allows final judgments entered by federal courts before the enactment of this Act to remain binding on the parties to the case, but persons who are not a party to such a case are not obligated to comply with such decisions.

prohibits federal courts having jurisdiction adjudicate enforce claim pertaining validity constitution state law state administrative judicial decision defines marriage limited union man woman refuses state recognition allows state refuse recognition sex marriages performed licensed states allows final judgments entered federal courts enactment act remain binding parties case persons party case obligated comply decisions


Summary:
Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act of 2015

Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to expand the categories of prohibited discrimination when extending credit to include discrimination on account of sexual orientation or gender identity. (Currently, such discrimination in credit is prohibited only on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex or marital status, or age.)

Provides for such Act to apply whether the basis for certain prohibited forms of discrimination is actual or perceived.

Defines: (1) "gender identity" as the gender-related identity, appearance, or mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of an individual with or without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth; (2) "person" as a natural person, corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, trust, estate, partnership, cooperative, or association; and (3) "sexual orientation" as homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.

freedom discrimination credit act amends equal_credit_opportunity_act expand categories prohibited discrimination extending credit include discrimination account sexual orientation gender identity currently discrimination credit prohibited basis race color religion national origin sex marital status age provides act apply basis certain prohibited forms discrimination actual perceived defines gender identity gender related identity appearance mannerisms gender related characteristics individual regard individual designated sex birth person natural person corporation government governmental subdivision agency trust estate partnership cooperative association sexual orientation homosexuality bisexuality


Summary:
Every Child Deserves a Family Act

Prohibits adoption or foster care placement service entities that receive federal assistance (or that contract with entities receiving such assistance) from using the sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status of a prospective adoptive or foster parent, or from using the sexual orientation or gender identity of the child, to: (1) deny a person the opportunity to become an adoptive or foster parent; (2) delay or deny the placement of a child for adoption or into foster care; or (3) require different or additional screenings or procedures for adoptive or foster placement decisions, including whether to seek the termination of birth parent rights or to make a child legally available for adoptive placement.

Allows individuals aggrieved by a violation of this Act to bring an action seeking relief in federal court.

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish guidance on legal compliance and to assist entities with casework practices, recruitment efforts, and cultural competency training.

Allows HHS to withhold payments under part B (Child and Family Services) or part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to states that fail to comply with this Act.

child deserves family act prohibits adoption foster care placement service entities receive federal assistance contract entities receiving assistance sexual orientation gender identity marital status prospective adoptive foster parent sexual orientation gender identity child deny person opportunity adoptive foster parent delay deny placement child adoption foster care require different additional screenings procedures adoptive foster placement decisions including seek termination birth parent rights child legally available adoptive placement allows individuals aggrieved violation act bring action seeking relief federal court directs department_of_health_and_human_services hhs publish guidance legal compliance assist entities practices recruitment efforts cultural competency training withhold payments child family services foster care adoption assistance title social security act states fail comply act


Summary:
Pregnancy Discrimination Amendment Act

Amends provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that protect against pregnancy discrimination in the workplace to provide for women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions to be treated the same for all employment-related purposes as any other persons who are applicants for employment with, or employees of, the same employer in work that is performed under similar working conditions and who are not so affected but are similar in their temporary ability or inability to work.

Makes such treatment applicable to existing prohibited categories of employment discrimination on the basis of sex or because of sex.

Prohibits this treatment from permitting a labor organization to cause an employer to commit an unlawful employment practice against an employee in violation of such provisions.

pregnancy discrimination amendment act amends provisions civil rights act protect pregnancy discrimination workplace provide women affected pregnancy childbirth related medical conditions treated employment related purposes persons applicants employment employees employer work performed similar working conditions affected similar temporary ability inability work makes treatment applicable existing prohibited categories employment discrimination basis sex sex prohibits treatment permitting labor organization cause employer commit unlawful employment practice employee violation provisions


Summary:
First Amendment Defense Act

Prohibits the federal government from taking discriminatory action against a person on the basis that such person believes or acts in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction that: (1) marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, or (2) sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage.

Defines "discriminatory action" as any federal government action to discriminate against a person with such beliefs or convictions, including a federal government action to:

 alter the federal tax treatment of, cause any tax, penalty, or payment to be assessed against, or deny, delay, or revoke certain tax exemptions of any such person; disallow a deduction of any charitable contribution made to or by such person; withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise deny any federal grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, loan, license, certification, accreditation, employment, or similar position or status from or to such person; or withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise deny any benefit under a federal benefit program. Requires the federal government to consider to be accredited, licensed, or certified for purposes of federal law any person who would be accredited, licensed, or certified for such purposes but for a determination that the person believes or acts in accordance with such a religious belief or moral conviction.

Permits a person to assert an actual or threatened violation of this Act as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding and to obtain compensatory damages or other appropriate relief against the federal government.

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action to enforce this Act against the Government Accountability Office or an establishment in the executive branch, other than the U.S. Postal Service or the Postal Regulatory Commission, that is not an executive department, military department, or government corporation.

Defines "person" as any person regardless of religious affiliation, including corporations and other entities regardless of for-profit or nonprofit status.

amendment defense act prohibits federal government taking discriminatory action person basis person believes acts accordance religious belief moral conviction marriage recognized union man woman sexual relations properly reserved marriage defines discriminatory action federal government action discriminate person beliefs convictions including federal government action alter federal tax treatment cause tax penalty payment assessed deny delay revoke certain tax exemptions person disallow deduction charitable contribution person withhold reduce exclude terminate deny federal grant contract subcontract cooperative agreement loan license certification accreditation employment similar position status person withhold reduce exclude terminate deny benefit federal benefit program requires federal government consider accredited licensed certified purposes federal law person accredited licensed certified purposes determination person believes acts accordance religious belief moral conviction permits person assert actual threatened violation act claim defense judicial administrative proceeding obtain compensatory damages appropriate relief federal government authorizes attorney general bring action enforce act government_accountability_office establishment executive branch postal_regulatory_commission executive department military department government corporation defines person person regardless religious affiliation including corporations entities regardless profit nonprofit status


Summary:
Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to change provisions that refer to married couples to make such provisions equally applicable to legally married same sex couples.

married taxpayers act bill amends internal_revenue_code change provisions refer married couples provisions equally applicable legally married sex couples


Summary:
LGBT Elder Americans Act of 2015

Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include LGBT individuals (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals) within the purview of such Act, particularly their status as LGBT individuals among those with the greatest social need.

Authorizes the Administration of Aging to: (1) designate within it a person with responsibility for addressing issues affecting LGBT older individuals; (2) conduct studies and collect data to determine the services needed by LGBT older individuals; and (3) establish and operate the National Resource Center on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Aging.

Revises the list of activities of national significance for families and other caregivers, for which the Administration's grants may be used, to specify those provided to individuals with greatest social need which: (1) address physical and mental health, disabilities, and health disparities; (2) provide long-term care, including in-home and community-based care; (3) provide informal care and formal care in a facility setting; (4) provide access to culturally responsive health and human services; and (5) address other gaps in assistance and issues of particular importance to older individuals with the greatest social need.

Requires a State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to collect and analyze discrimination data with respect to LGBT older individuals in the admission to, transfer or discharge from, or lack of adequate care provided in long-term care settings.

lgbt elder americans act amends older americans act include lgbt individuals lesbian gay bisexual transgendered individuals purview act particularly status lgbt individuals greatest social need authorizes administration aging designate person responsibility addressing issues affecting lgbt older individuals conduct studies collect data determine services needed lgbt older individuals establish operate revises list activities national significance families caregivers administration grants specify provided individuals greatest social need address physical mental health disabilities health disparities provide long term care including home community based care provide informal care formal care facility setting provide access culturally responsive health human services address gaps assistance issues particular importance older individuals greatest social need requires state long term care ombudsman collect analyze discrimination data respect lgbt older individuals admission transfer discharge lack adequate care provided long term care settings


Summary:
Restore Honor to Service Members Act

Requires appropriate military record correction boards or discharge review boards to review the discharge characterization of any former members of the Armed Forces requesting a review who were discharged because of their sexual orientation. Permits such boards to change a characterization to honorable if such characterization is any characterization except honorable.

Directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that any such changes are carried out consistently and uniformly across the military departments using specified criteria, including that: (1) the original discharge was based on the policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell (as in effect before it was repealed pursuant to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010) or a similar earlier policy; and (2) the discharge characterization will be changed if, with respect to the original discharge, there were no aggravating circumstances, such as misconduct, that would have independently led to any discharge characterization except honorable.

Prohibits "aggravating circumstances" from including: (1) an offense of sodomy committed by the member against a consenting person of the same sex; or (2) statements, consensual sexual conduct, or consensual acts relating to sexual orientation or identity, or the disclosure of such statements, conduct, or acts, that were prohibited at the time of discharge but that became permitted after such discharge.

Directs the Secretary of each military department to ensure that oral historians of the department: (1) review discharges between World War II and September 2011 based on sexual orientation, and (2) receive oral testimony of individuals who personally experienced discrimination and discharge because of actual or perceived sexual orientation so that such testimony may serve as an official record of such discriminatory policies and their impact on American lives.

Requires the reissuance of specified military personnel records and discharge forms in a manner that shall not reflect the sexual orientation of the member.

service members act requires appropriate military record correction boards discharge review boards review discharge characterization members armed_forces requesting review discharged sexual orientation permits boards change characterization honorable characterization characterization honorable directs department_of_defense dod ensure changes carried consistently uniformly military departments specified criteria including original discharge based policy ask tell effect repealed pursuant ask tell repeal act similar earlier policy discharge characterization changed respect original discharge aggravating circumstances misconduct independently led discharge characterization honorable prohibits aggravating circumstances including offense sodomy committed member consenting person sex statements consensual sexual conduct consensual acts relating sexual orientation identity disclosure statements conduct acts prohibited time discharge permitted discharge directs secretary military department ensure oral department review discharges world war september based sexual orientation receive oral testimony individuals personally experienced discrimination discharge actual perceived sexual orientation testimony serve official record discriminatory policies impact american lives requires reissuance specified military personnel records discharge forms manner shall reflect sexual orientation member


Summary:
Equality Act

Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation in places of public accommodation.

Defines:

 "sex" to include a sex stereotype, sexual orientation or gender identity, and pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition; "sexual orientation" as homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality; and "gender identity" as gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or characteristics, regardless of the individual's designated sex at birth. Expands the categories of public accommodations to include places or establishments that provide:

 exhibitions, recreation, exercise, amusement, gatherings, or displays; goods, services, or programs, including a store, a shopping center, an online retailer or service provider, a salon, a bank, a gas station, a food bank, a service or care center, a shelter, a travel agency, a funeral parlor, or a health care, accounting, or legal service; or transportation services. Prohibits "establishment" from being construed to be limited to a physical facility or place.

Authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to bring a civil action if it receives a complaint from an individual who claims to be:

 denied equal utilization of a public facility owned, operated, or managed by a state (other than public schools or colleges) on account of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity; or denied admission to, or not permitted to continue attending, a public college by reason of sexual orientation or gender identity, thereby expanding DOJ's existing authority to bring such actions for complaints based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Revises public school desegregation standards to provide for the assignment of students without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity.

Prohibits programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance from denying benefits to, or discriminating against, persons based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity, subject to the same exceptions and conditions that currently apply to unlawful employment practices based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Requires employers to recognize individuals in accordance with their gender identity if sex is a bona fide occupational qualification that is reasonably necessary to the normal operation of that particular business or enterprise.

Provides government employees with protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Authorizes DOJ to intervene in equal protection actions in federal court on account of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Requires protections against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin to include protections against discrimination based on: (1) an association with another person who is a member of such a protected class; or (2) a perception or belief, even if inaccurate, that an individual is a member of such a protected class. Prohibits the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 from providing a claim, defense, or basis for challenging such protections.

Prohibits an individual from being denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room, and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual's gender identity.

Amends the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and jury selection standards to add sexual orientation and gender identity as classes protected against discrimination under such laws.

equality act amends civil rights act include sex sexual orientation gender identity prohibited categories discrimination segregation places public accommodation defines sex include sex sexual orientation gender identity pregnancy childbirth related medical condition sexual orientation homosexuality bisexuality gender identity gender related identity appearance mannerisms characteristics regardless individual designated sex birth expands categories public accommodations include places establishments provide exhibitions recreation exercise amusement displays goods services programs including store shopping center online retailer service provider bank gas station food bank service care center shelter travel agency funeral health care accounting legal service transportation services prohibits establishment construed limited physical facility place authorizes department_of_justice doj bring civil action receives complaint individual claims denied equal utilization public facility owned operated managed state public schools colleges account sex sexual orientation gender identity denied admission permitted continue attending public college reason sexual orientation gender identity expanding doj existing authority bring actions complaints based race color religion sex national origin revises public school standards provide assignment students regard sexual orientation gender identity prohibits programs activities receiving federal financial assistance denying benefits discriminating persons based sex sexual orientation gender identity prohibits employers employees discriminating based sexual orientation gender identity subject exceptions conditions currently apply unlawful employment practices based race color religion sex national origin requires employers recognize individuals accordance gender identity sex bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary normal operation particular business enterprise provides government employees protections discrimination based sexual orientation gender identity authorizes doj intervene equal protection actions federal court account sexual orientation gender identity requires protections discrimination based race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin include protections discrimination based association person member protected class perception belief inaccurate individual member protected class prohibits religious freedom restoration act providing claim defense basis challenging protections prohibits individual denied access shared facility including restroom room dressing room accordance individual gender identity amends fair housing act equal_credit_opportunity_act jury selection standards add sexual orientation gender identity classes protected discrimination laws


Summary:
Gender Advancement in Pay Act or the GAP Act

This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to expand exceptions to the prohibition against sex discrimination to include payments pursuant to a differential based on expertise, shift, or a business-related factor other than sex, including but not limited to education, training, or experience.

The statute of limitations under the Portal-to-Portal Act of 1947 for a charge of prohibited sex discrimination, or an action by or on behalf of an employee for such discrimination, shall be tolled until the earlier of: (1) the date on which the Equal Employment Commission or the Department of Justice brings an action or notifies the employee concerned with respect to the charge under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or (2) 270 days after the charge is filed.

Nonretaliation prohibitions are extended to cover inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of an employee or of another employee, or declining to discuss or disclose the employee's wages, with specified exceptions. An employer shall be considered to have committed an unlawful act if the employer requires an employee to sign a contract or waiver (other than as specified) that would prohibit the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages.

Civil penalties are established for violation of prohibitions against sex discrimination.

The Department of Labor, together with the Department of Education, shall conduct a multistate study, through a grant to a nonprofit research institution, that includes strategies to increase the participation of women in high-wage, high-demand occupations and industries in which women are underrepresented.

The Government Accountability Office shall also conduct a multistate study to develop such strategies.

pay act gap act bill amends fair labor standards act expand exceptions prohibition sex discrimination include payments pursuant differential based expertise shift business related factor sex including limited education training experience statute limitations portal portal act charge prohibited sex discrimination action behalf employee discrimination shall tolled earlier date department_of_justice brings action notifies employee concerned respect charge civil rights act days charge filed prohibitions extended cover inquiring discussing disclosing wages employee employee declining discuss disclose employee wages specified exceptions employer shall considered committed unlawful act employer requires employee sign contract waiver specified prohibit employee disclosing information employee wages civil penalties established violation prohibitions sex discrimination department_of_labor department_of_education shall conduct multistate study grant nonprofit research institution includes strategies increase participation women high wage high demand occupations industries women underrepresented government_accountability_office shall conduct multistate study develop strategies


Summary:
Workplace Advancement Act

This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discharging or retaliating against any employee because such employee has inquired about, discussed, or disclosed comparative compensation information for the purpose of determining whether the employer is compensating an employee in a manner that provides equal pay for equal work.

The prohibition does not apply to instances in which an employee who has access to the wage information of other employees as a part of the employee's job functions discloses such wages to an individual who has no access to them, except in response to a charge or complaint or in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action with respect to prohibited sex discrimination, including an investigation conducted by the employer.

It is the sense of Congress that: (1) gender-based discrimination in wages or compensation violates existing law, and (2) Congress recommits itself to the principles of equal pay for equal work.

workplace advancement act bill amends fair labor standards act prohibit discharging retaliating employee employee discussed disclosed comparative compensation information purpose determining employer compensating employee manner provides equal pay equal work prohibition apply instances employee access wage information employees employee job functions discloses wages individual access response charge complaint furtherance investigation proceeding hearing action respect prohibited sex discrimination including investigation conducted employer sense congress gender based discrimination wages compensation violates existing law congress principles equal pay equal work


Summary:
Gender Advancement in Pay Act or the GAP Act

This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to expand exceptions to the prohibition against sex discrimination to include payments pursuant to a differential based on expertise, shift, or a business-related factor other than sex, including but not limited to education, training, or experience.

The statute of limitations under the Portal-to-Portal Act of 1947 for a charge of prohibited sex discrimination, or an action by or on behalf of an employee for such discrimination, shall be tolled until the earlier of: (1) the date on which the Equal Employment Commission or the Department of Justice brings an action or notifies the employee concerned with respect to the charge under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or (2) 270 days after the charge is filed.

Nonretaliation prohibitions are extended to cover inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of an employee or of another employee, or declining to discuss or disclose the employee's wages, with specified exceptions. An employer shall be considered to have committed an unlawful act if the employer requires an employee to sign a contract or waiver that would prohibit the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages.

Civil penalties are established for violation of prohibitions against sex discrimination.

The Department of Labor, together with the Department of Education, shall conduct a multistate study, through a grant to a nonprofit research institution, that includes strategies to increase the participation of women in high-wage, high-demand occupations and industries in which women are underrepresented.

The Government Accountability Office shall also conduct a multistate study to develop such strategies.

pay act gap act bill amends fair labor standards act expand exceptions prohibition sex discrimination include payments pursuant differential based expertise shift business related factor sex including limited education training experience statute limitations portal portal act charge prohibited sex discrimination action behalf employee discrimination shall tolled earlier date department_of_justice brings action notifies employee concerned respect charge civil rights act days charge filed prohibitions extended cover inquiring discussing disclosing wages employee employee declining discuss disclose employee wages specified exceptions employer shall considered committed unlawful act employer requires employee sign contract waiver prohibit employee disclosing information employee wages civil penalties established violation prohibitions sex discrimination department_of_labor department_of_education shall conduct multistate study grant nonprofit research institution includes strategies increase participation women high wage high demand occupations industries women underrepresented government_accountability_office shall conduct multistate study develop strategies