Summary: International Religious Freedom Act Amendments of 2011 - Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) to require the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom to: (1) integrate U.S. international religious freedom policies and engagement programs into U.S.-funded democracy and civil society programs and counterterrorism policies of U.S. agencies, including the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of State, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of the Treasury; and (2) coordinate programs including such agencies and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Recognizes that the absence of religious freedom is related to the persecution of religious minorities, religious conflict, violence, extremism, and terrorism (including terrorism reaching the United States). Extends U.S. policy to assisting nongovernmental organizations (currently, only governments) promoting religious freedom. Authorizes the Ambassador, subject to the direction of the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in contacts with nongovernmental organizations impacting religious freedom in their respective societies, regions, or internationally. Specifies the minimum training requirements for foreign service officers, including chiefs of mission, under the Foreign Service Act of 1980. Modifies: (1) procedures for appointing members to the Commission on International Religious Freedom, and (2) terms of office for such members. Establishes the Executive Committee of the Commission. Extends the Commission's termination date to September 30, 2018. Requires the President, within 120 days after designating a country of particular concern for religious freedom, to transmit to Congress: (1) any identification of the agency or instrumentality and specific officials responsible for religious freedom violations, and (2) an evaluation of the actions taken by the President. Limits, to a 180-day period, the President's authority to waive specified actions with respect to a country in response to religious freedom violations. Terminates any action by the President under the IRFA upon the President's certification that the foreign government has ceased (or taken steps to cease) particularly severe violations of religious freedom. (Currently, without such certification, an action terminates within two years unless reauthorized by law.)

international religious freedom act amendments amends international religious freedom act require ambassador integrate international religious freedom policies engagement programs democracy civil society programs counterterrorism policies agencies including department_of_defense dod department_of_state department_of_homeland_security dhs department_of_the_treasury coordinate programs including agencies international_development usaid recognizes absence religious freedom related persecution religious minorities religious conflict violence extremism terrorism including terrorism reaching united_states extends policy assisting nongovernmental organizations currently governments promoting religious freedom authorizes ambassador subject direction president secretary state represent united_states contacts nongovernmental organizations impacting religious freedom respective societies regions internationally specifies minimum training requirements foreign service officers including chiefs mission foreign service act modifies procedures appointing members terms office members establishes extends commission termination date september requires president days designating country particular concern religious freedom transmit congress identification agency instrumentality specific officials responsible religious freedom violations evaluation actions taken president limits day period president authority waive specified actions respect country response religious freedom violations terminates action president president certification foreign government ceased taken steps cease particularly severe violations religious freedom currently certification action terminates years reauthorized law


Summary: Religious and Parental Rights Defense Act of 2011 - Prohibits a state or a political subdivision from adopting or continuing in force a law, regulation, or order that prohibits or regulates the circumcision of males who have not attained the age of 18 years and whose parent or guardian has consented to the circumcision, unless such law, regulation, or order applies to all such circumcisions performed in the state and is limited to ensuring that all such circumcisions are performed in a hygienic manner.

religious parental rights defense act prohibits state political subdivision adopting continuing force law regulation order prohibits regulates males attained age years parent guardian consented law regulation order applies performed state limited ensuring performed manner


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the prohibition against churches and other tax-exempt organizations participating in political campaigns or supporting or opposing candidates for public office. Provides that this repeal shall not invalidate or limit any provision of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.

Civil rights and liberties, minority issues

amends internal revenue code repeal prohibition churches tax exempt organizations participating political campaigns supporting opposing candidates public office provides repeal shall invalidate limit provision federal_election_campaign_act


Summary: National Pro-Life Waiting Period Act of 2012 - Prohibits an abortion provider engaged in interstate or foreign commerce from performing an abortion without waiting 24 hours after obtaining a written certification from the pregnant woman certifying the date and time of her first in-person meeting with the provider to seek the abortion. Makes an exception if the abortion is necessary to save a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury, including a physical condition arising from the pregnancy itself. Requires the provider to certify the specific medical conditions that support such determination and include the certification in the woman's medical file. Sets penalties for willfully falsifying such a certification or for otherwise violating this Act. Establishes a private right of action against a provider to any woman upon whom an abortion has been performed in violation of this Act. States that this Act does not affect the duration of any waiting period required under state law that is equal to or longer than the waiting period required by this Act.

prohibits abortion provider engaged interstate foreign commerce performing abortion waiting hours obtaining written certification pregnant woman certifying date time person meeting provider seek abortion makes exception abortion necessary save mother life endangered physical disorder illness injury including physical condition arising pregnancy requires provider certify specific medical conditions support determination include certification woman medical file sets penalties willfully falsifying certification violating act establishes private right action provider woman abortion performed violation act states act affect duration waiting period required state law equal longer waiting period required act


Summary: Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any guideline or regulation issued relating to the coverage of preventive health services under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) or any other provision of PPACA to: (1) require any individual or entity to offer, provide, or purchase coverage for a contraceptive or sterilization service, or related education or counseling, to which that individual or entity is opposed on the basis of religious belief; or (2) require any individual or entity opposed by reason of religious belief to provide coverage of a contraceptive or sterilization service or to engage in government-mandated speech regarding such a service. Declares that nothing in PPACA and no regulations or guidelines issued under PPACA shall be construed to authorize the imposition of a sanction or otherwise disadvantage an individual or entity on the basis of a religiously based decision made by that individual or entity to not offer, provide, or purchase coverage or a contraceptive or sterilization service, or to engage in a government-mandated speech regarding such service.

religious freedom restoration act amends public_health_service_act prohibit guideline regulation issued relating coverage preventive health services patient_protection affordable care act ppaca provision ppaca require individual entity offer provide purchase coverage contraceptive sterilization service related education counseling individual entity opposed basis religious belief require individual entity opposed reason religious belief provide coverage contraceptive sterilization service engage government mandated speech service declares ppaca regulations guidelines issued ppaca shall construed authorize imposition sanction disadvantage individual entity basis based decision individual entity offer provide purchase coverage contraceptive sterilization service engage government mandated speech service


Summary: Protecting Women's Access to Health Care Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any recipient of a grant or contract under the family planning program from discriminating against any institutional or individual health care entity on the basis of whether such entity separately provides or refers for abortions, provides employees coverage of abortions, or provides or requires training in the performance of abortions. Defines "health care entity" to include an individual physician or other health care professional, a hospital, or any other kind of health care facility or organization.

prohibit recipient grant contract family planning program discriminating institutional individual health care entity basis entity separately provides refers abortions provides employees coverage abortions provides requires training performance abortions defines health care entity include individual physician health care professional hospital kind health care facility organization


Summary: Religious Freedom Tax Repeal Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt an employer opposed by reason of adherence to a religious belief or moral conviction from the tax penalty imposed for failure of a group health plan to cover required women's preventive care and screenings. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to prohibit the Secretary of Labor from bringing an action against a plan to enforce any requirement to provide such coverage to which an employer is opposed by reason of adherence to a religious belief or moral conviction. Exempts group health plans from penalties under state and federal enforcement provisions of the Public Health Service Act for failure to meet such women's health requirements insofar as they concern coverage to which an employer is opposed on the basis of religious belief or moral conviction.

religious freedom tax repeal act amends internal revenue code exempt employer opposed reason adherence religious belief moral conviction tax penalty imposed failure group health plan cover required women preventive care screenings amends employee retirement income security act erisa prohibit secretary labor bringing action plan enforce requirement provide coverage employer opposed reason adherence religious belief moral conviction exempts group health plans penalties state federal enforcement provisions public_health_service_act failure meet women health requirements insofar concern coverage employer opposed basis religious belief moral conviction


Summary: Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to include the desecration of cemeteries among the forms of violations of the right to religious freedom in many countries around the world.

amends international religious freedom act include cemeteries forms violations right religious freedom countries world


Summary: Equitable Access to Care and Health Act or the EACH Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to minimum essential health care coverage requirements added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to allow an additional religious exemption from such requirements for individuals whose sincerely held religious beliefs would cause them to object to medical health care provided under such coverage. Defines "medical health care" to mean voluntary health treatment by or supervised by a medical doctor that would be covered under minimum essential coverage that: (1) includes voluntary acute care treatment at hospital emergency rooms, walk-in clinics, or similar facilities; and (2) excludes treatment not administered or supervised by a medical doctor, physical examinations or treatment required by law or third parties, and vaccinations.

equitable access care health act act amends internal revenue code respect minimum essential health care coverage requirements added patient_protection affordable care act allow additional religious exemption requirements individuals sincerely held religious beliefs cause object medical health care provided coverage defines medical health care mean voluntary health treatment supervised medical doctor covered minimum essential coverage includes voluntary acute care treatment hospital emergency rooms walk clinics similar facilities excludes treatment administered supervised medical doctor physical examinations treatment required law parties vaccinations


Summary: National Child Protection Training Act - Directs the Attorney General, through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, to establish a program to sustain at least four university, college, or community college affiliated regional training centers in coordination with the National Child Protection Training Center. Requires the regional training centers to: (1) develop model inter-disciplinary undergraduate curricula on recognizing and responding to cases of child maltreatment that consists of at least a three-course certificate program or minor degree; (2) develop related model graduate curricula for medical schools, law schools, seminaries, and other institutions of higher education that instruct students likely to become child protection professionals or other professionals required by law to report cases of child maltreatment; (3) disseminate such curricula, upon the Attorney General's approval, to community colleges, colleges, university, law schools, medical schools, and other institutions of higher education; (4) develop "laboratory" training facilities that allow for simulated, interactive, and intensive training of students preparing for child protection careers as well as child protection professionals currently in the field; (5) assist communities in developing evidence-based prevention programs; and (6) assist states in developing and maintaining forensic interview training programs.

national_child_protection_training_act_-_directs attorney general office_of_juvenile_justice delinquency_prevention establish program sustain university college community college affiliated regional training centers coordination national_child_protection_training_center requires regional training centers develop model inter disciplinary undergraduate curricula recognizing responding cases child maltreatment consists course certificate program minor degree develop related model graduate curricula medical schools law schools seminaries institutions higher education instruct students likely child protection professionals professionals required law report cases child maltreatment disseminate curricula attorney general approval community colleges colleges university law schools medical schools institutions higher education develop laboratory training facilities allow simulated interactive intensive training students preparing child protection careers child protection professionals currently field assist communities developing evidence based prevention programs assist states developing maintaining forensic interview training programs


Summary: Blue Star/Gold Star Flag Act of 2011 - Prohibits a condominium association, cooperative association, or residential real estate management association from adopting or enforcing any policy, or entering into any agreement, that would restrict or prevent an association member from displaying a Service Flag on residential property within the association with respect to which such member has a separate ownership interest or a right to exclusive possession or use. (A Service Flag, also known as a "blue star banner," is an official banner authorized by the Department of Defense [DOD] for display by families who have members serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities the United States may be engaged in for the duration of such hostilities.) Prohibits anything in this Act from being considered to permit any display or use inconsistent with: (1) any DOD regulations regarding rules or customs pertaining to the proper display or use of the Service Flag; or (2) any reasonable restriction pertaining to the time, place, or manner of displaying the flag necessary to protect a substantial interest of the condominium, cooperative, or residential real estate management association.

prohibits condominium association cooperative association residential real estate management association adopting enforcing policy entering agreement restrict prevent association member displaying service flag residential property association respect member separate ownership interest right exclusive possession use known blue star banner official banner authorized department_of_defense dod display families members serving armed_forces period war hostilities united_states engaged duration hostilities prohibits act considered permit display use inconsistent dod regulations rules customs pertaining proper display use service flag reasonable restriction pertaining time place manner displaying flag necessary protect substantial interest condominium cooperative residential real estate management association


Summary: Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2011 - Authorizes the President to appoint a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia within the Department of State. Authorizes the Special Envoy, subject to direction by the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in: (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations (U.N.), the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international organizations; and (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to religious freedom. Defines "countries of the Near East" as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and including the West Bank and Gaza. Defines "countries of South Central Asia" as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

near_east freedom act authorizes president appoint special envoy promote religious freedom religious minorities near_east department_of_state authorizes special envoy subject direction president secretary state represent united_states matters cases relevant religious freedom contacts foreign governments intergovernmental organizations specialized agencies united_nations international organizations multilateral conferences meetings relevant religious freedom defines countries near_east bahrain egypt iran iraq israel jordan kuwait lebanon libya morocco qatar saudi_arabia syria united_arab_emirates yemen including west_bank gaza defines countries afghanistan india kyrgyzstan kazakhstan nepal pakistan tajikistan turkmenistan uzbekistan


Summary: Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any guideline or regulation issued relating to the coverage of preventive health services under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) or any other provision of PPACA to: (1) require any individual or entity to offer, provide, or purchase coverage for a contraceptive or sterilization service, or related education or counseling, to which that individual or entity is opposed on the basis of religious belief; or (2) require any individual or entity opposed by reason of religious belief to provide coverage of a contraceptive or sterilization service or to engage in government-mandated speech regarding such a service. Declares that nothing in PPACA and no regulations or guidelines issued under PPACA shall be construed to authorize the imposition of a sanction or otherwise disadvantage an individual or entity on the basis of a religiously based decision made by that individual or entity to not offer, provide, or purchase coverage for a contraceptive or sterilization service, or to engage in a government-mandated speech regarding such service.


Summary: Religious Freedom Protection Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any guideline, regulation, or other requirement issued by any federal, state, or local government relating to preventive health services coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) or the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HCERA) from: (1) requiring any individual or entity to offer, provide, or purchase health insurance coverage for a contraceptive or sterilization service, or related education or counseling, to which that individual or entity is opposed on the basis of religious belief or moral conviction; (2) requiring any individual or entity opposed on such basis to providing health insurance coverage of a contraceptive or sterilization service to engage in government-mandated speech regarding such a service; or (3) prohibiting any group health plan from offering or providing individual or group health insurance coverage that excludes coverage for a contraception or sterilization service, or related education or counseling, which the individual or entity purchasing the plan or coverage opposes on such basis. Declares that nothing in PPACA or HCERA or any requirement issued under such Acts shall be construed to disadvantage any individual or entity on the basis of a religiously or morally based decision made by that individual or entity to not offer, provide, or purchase health insurance coverage for a contraceptive or sterilization service or to engage in a government-mandated speech regarding such service. Creates a private cause of action for those individuals or entities protected under this Act. Permits any such individual or entity to assert a violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding. Grants the federal courts jurisdiction to prevent and redress actual or threatened violations. Permits: (1) an action under this Act to be instituted by the Attorney General or by any person or entity having standing to complain of a threatened or actual violation, and (2) the court to enter a restraining order or prohibition or take other necessary action pending final determination of any action under this Act. Designates the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive and coordinate the investigation of complaints of discrimination based on this Act.

religious freedom protection act amends public_health_service_act prohibit guideline regulation requirement issued federal state local government relating preventive health services coverage patient_protection affordable care act ppaca health_care_and_education reconciliation act requiring individual entity offer provide purchase health insurance coverage contraceptive sterilization service related education counseling individual entity opposed basis religious belief moral conviction requiring individual entity opposed basis providing health insurance coverage contraceptive sterilization service engage government mandated speech service prohibiting group health plan offering providing individual group health insurance coverage excludes coverage contraception sterilization service related education counseling individual entity purchasing plan coverage opposes basis declares ppaca requirement issued acts shall construed disadvantage individual entity basis based decision individual entity offer provide purchase health insurance coverage contraceptive sterilization service engage government mandated speech service creates private cause action individuals entities protected act permits individual entity assert violation claim defense judicial proceeding grants federal courts jurisdiction prevent redress actual threatened violations permits action act instituted attorney general person entity having standing threatened actual violation court enter restraining order prohibition necessary action pending final determination action act designates office_for_civil_rights_of_the_department_of_health_and_human_services hhs receive coordinate investigation complaints discrimination based act


Summary: Flag Protection Act of 2012 - Replaces provisions regarding desecration of the flag of the United States with provisions that subject any person who: (1) destroys or damages a U.S. flag with the primary purpose and intent to incite or produce imminent violence or a breach of the peace to a fine of up to $100,000, imprisonment for up to 1 year, or both; (2) intentionally threatens or intimidates any person or group of persons by burning a U.S. flag to a fine of up to $100,000, imprisonment for up to 1 year, or both; (3) steals or knowingly converts to his or her use, or the use of another, a U.S. flag belonging to the United States and intentionally destroys or damages that flag to a fine of up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both; and (4) steals or knowingly converts to his or her use, or the use of another, a U.S. flag belonging to the United States and intentionally destroys or damags that flag within any lands reserved for the use of, or under the exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction of, the United States to a fine of up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both.

flag protection act replaces provisions flag united_states provisions subject person damages flag primary purpose intent produce imminent violence breach peace fine imprisonment year intentionally threatens person group persons burning flag fine imprisonment year knowingly converts use use flag belonging united_states intentionally damages flag fine imprisonment years knowingly converts use use flag belonging united_states intentionally flag lands reserved use exclusive concurrent jurisdiction united_states fine imprisonment years


Summary: Free Press Act of 2012 - Amends the federal judicial code to authorize a representative of the news media to file a special motion to dismiss any claim asserted against such representative in a civil action if the claim arises from an oral or written statement or other expression that is on a matter of public concern or that relates to a public official or figure (thereby establishing a judicial procedure to seek dismissal of what are commonly referred to as "Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation" [SLAPPs]). Places the burden on the party asserting the claim, after such a motion is properly brought, to prove the claim is legally sufficient and supported by facts sufficient to sustain a favorable judgment. Requires the dismissal with prejudice of any such claim challenged with a motion to dismiss for which the party asserting the claim fails to meet that burden. Prohibits such a special motion to dismiss from being filed against a claim: (1) brought by the federal government or a state attorney general, or (2) arising out of a statement offering or promoting the sale of the goods or services of the person making the statement. Authorizes a person whose personally identifying information is sought in connection with a claim that arises in whole or in part from an oral or written statement or other expression that is on a matter of public concern or that relates to a public official or figure, or a person from whom such information is sought in connection with such a claim, to file a special motion to quash the request or order to produce the information. Places a similar burden of proof on the party making the request for such information, after a special motion to quash is properly brought, to show that the claim is legally sufficient and supported by appropriate evidence. Permits a civil action in a state court that raises a claim arising out of speech on public issues to be removed to federal court by a party who seeks to file a special motion to dismiss asserting a colorable defense based on the Constitution or laws of the United States. Allows the removal of a state court proceeding to federal court by a party who seeks to file a special motion to quash, but only with respect to the proceeding to quash the request for personally identifying information and not the remainder of the civil action.

free press act amends federal judicial code authorize representative news media file special motion dismiss claim asserted representative civil action claim arises oral written statement expression matter public concern relates public official figure establishing judicial procedure seek dismissal commonly referred strategic lawsuits public participation places burden party asserting claim motion properly brought prove claim legally sufficient supported facts sufficient sustain favorable judgment requires dismissal prejudice claim challenged motion dismiss party asserting claim fails meet burden prohibits special motion dismiss filed claim brought federal government state attorney general arising statement offering promoting sale goods services person making statement authorizes person personally identifying information sought connection claim arises oral written statement expression matter public concern relates public official figure person information sought connection claim file special motion request order produce information places similar burden proof party making request information special motion properly brought claim legally sufficient supported appropriate evidence permits civil action state court raises claim arising speech public issues removed federal court party seeks file special motion dismiss asserting defense based constitution laws united_states allows removal state court proceeding federal court party seeks file special motion respect proceeding request personally identifying information remainder civil action


Summary: Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2013 - Amends provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 related to equal employment opportunities to include in the term "religion" all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief, unless an employer demonstrates that the employer is unable, after initiating and engaging in an affirmative and bona fide effort, to reasonably accommodate to an employee's or prospective employee's religious observance or practice without undue hardship on the conduct of the employer's business. (Current law makes no reference to an employer's affirmative and bona fide effort.) Provides that an employer's accommodation of an employee's practice of wearing religious clothing or a religious hairstyle, or of taking time off for a religious reason, imposes an undue hardship on the conduct of an employer's business in accommodating such practice only if the accommodation imposes a significant difficulty or expense on the conduct of the employer's business when considered in light of specified factors set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, including: (1) the nature and cost of the accommodation needed, (2) the financial resources and size of the business, and (3) the type of operation of the business. Requires an employer's accomodation, before it may be considered a reasonable accomodation, to remove the conflict between employment requirements and the employee's religious practice. Prohibits an accomodation from being a reasonable accomodation if it requires an employee to be segregated from customers or the general public.

workplace religious freedom act amends provisions civil rights act related equal employment opportunities include term religion aspects religious observance practice belief employer demonstrates employer unable initiating engaging affirmative bona fide effort reasonably accommodate employee prospective employee religious observance practice undue hardship conduct employer business current law makes reference employer affirmative bona fide effort provides employer accommodation employee practice wearing religious clothing religious taking time religious reason imposes undue hardship conduct employer business accommodating practice accommodation imposes significant difficulty expense conduct employer business considered light specified factors set forth americans disabilities act including nature cost accommodation needed financial resources size business type operation business requires employer considered reasonable remove conflict employment requirements employee religious practice prohibits reasonable requires employee segregated customers general public


Summary: Authorizes a military chaplain, if called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, to close the prayer according to the dictates of the chaplain's conscience.

authorizes military chaplain called lead prayer outside religious service close prayer according chaplain conscience


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

Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2013 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include community centers, including tax-exempt houses of worship, as "private nonprofit facilities" for purposes of disaster relief and emergency assistance eligibility under such Act.

Makes a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other house of worship, and a private nonprofit facility operated by a religious organization, eligible for federal contributions for the repair, restoration, and replacement of facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster, without regard to the religious character of the facility or the primary religious use of the facility.

Makes this Act applicable to the provision of assistance in response to a major disaster or emergency declared on or after October 28, 2012.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated federal disaster assistance nonprofit fairness act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance act include community centers including tax exempt houses worship private nonprofit facilities purposes disaster relief emergency assistance eligibility act makes church house worship private nonprofit facility operated religious organization eligible federal contributions repair restoration replacement facilities damaged destroyed major disaster regard religious character facility primary religious use facility makes act applicable provision assistance response major disaster emergency declared october


Summary:
Military Religious Freedom Protection Act - Requires the sincerely held religious or moral beliefs of a member of the Armed Forces concerning the appropriate and inappropriate expression of human sexuality to be accommodated and not the basis of any adverse personnel action, discrimination, or denial of promotion, schooling, training, or assignment (adverse actions).

Prohibits a military chaplain from being directed, ordered, or required to perform any duty, rite, ritual, ceremony, service, or function (ceremony) that is contrary to the conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs (beliefs) of the chaplain or the chaplain's faith group. Prohibits the refusal of a chaplain to perform a ceremony that is contrary to such beliefs from being the basis of any adverse actions.

Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations setting forth guidance to implement such requirements and prohibitions.

Prohibits a military installation or other property owned, rented, or otherwise under the jurisdiction or control of the Department of Defense (DOD) from being used to officiate, solemnize, or perform a marriage or marriage-like ceremony involving anything other than the union of one man with one woman.

military religious freedom protection act requires sincerely held religious moral beliefs member armed_forces concerning appropriate inappropriate expression human sexuality accommodated basis adverse personnel action discrimination denial promotion schooling training assignment adverse actions prohibits military chaplain directed ordered required perform duty ceremony service function ceremony contrary conscience moral principles religious beliefs beliefs chaplain chaplain faith group prohibits refusal chaplain perform ceremony contrary beliefs basis adverse actions requires secretary defense issue regulations setting forth guidance implement requirements prohibitions prohibits military installation property owned rented jurisdiction control department_of_defense dod perform marriage marriage like ceremony involving union man woman


Summary:
Health Care Conscience Rights Act - Amends title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to declare that nothing in such title shall require an individual to purchase individual health insurance coverage that includes coverage of an abortion or other item or service to which the individual has a moral or religious objection, or prevent an issuer from offering or issuing, to that individual, individual coverage excluding such item or service.

Makes similar denials about requiring a sponsor to sponsor, purchase, or provide such coverage, or a health insurance issuer or group health plan sponsor to cover an abortion or other item or service to which the sponsor or issuer has a moral or religious objection.

Denies also that such title authorizes imposition of a tax, penalty, fee, fine, or other sanction, or imposition of coverage of such an item or service, in relation to health insurance coverage or a group health plan that excludes such an item or service.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to codify the prohibition against any action by the federal government and any state or local government receiving federal financial assistance to subject a health professional, a hospital, a provider-sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, an accountable care organization, a health insurance plan, or any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan to discrimination on the basis that the entity refuses to participate in abortion-related activities.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate the Director of the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive and investigate complaints alleging a violation of abortion discrimination prohibition.

Creates a cause of action for the Attorney General or any person or entity adversely affected to obtain equitable or legal relief for any violation of this abortion discrimination prohibition. Allows commencement of an action to be commenced and the granting of relief without a prerequisite pursuit of administrative remedies. Allows such an action against a federal or state governmental entity.

title patient_protection affordable care act declare title shall require individual purchase individual health insurance coverage includes coverage abortion item service individual moral religious objection prevent issuer offering issuing individual individual coverage excluding item service makes similar denials requiring sponsor sponsor purchase provide coverage health insurance issuer group health plan sponsor cover abortion item service sponsor issuer moral religious objection denies title authorizes imposition tax penalty fee fine sanction imposition coverage item service relation health insurance coverage group health plan excludes item service amends public_health_service_act codify prohibition action federal government state local government receiving federal financial assistance subject health professional hospital provider sponsored organization health maintenance organization accountable care organization health insurance plan kind health care facility organization plan discrimination basis entity refuses participate abortion related activities requires secretary health_and_human_services designate director office_for_civil_rights_of_the_department_of_health_and_human_services hhs receive investigate complaints alleging violation abortion discrimination prohibition creates cause action attorney general person entity adversely affected obtain equitable legal relief violation abortion discrimination prohibition allows commencement action commenced granting relief prerequisite pursuit administrative remedies allows action federal state governmental entity


Summary:
Religious Freedom Tax Repeal Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt an employer opposed by reason of adherence to a religious belief or moral conviction from the tax penalty imposed for failure of a group health plan to cover required women's preventive care and screenings.

Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to prohibit the Secretary of Labor from bringing an action against a plan to enforce any requirement to provide such coverage to which an employer is opposed by reason of adherence to a religious belief or moral conviction. Exempts group health plans from penalties under state and federal enforcement provisions of the Public Health Service Act for failure to meet such women's health requirements insofar as they concern coverage to which an employer is opposed on the basis of religious belief or moral conviction.


Summary: Life at Conception Act - Declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being beginning at the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual comes into being. Prohibits construing this Act to authorize the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child.

life conception act declares right life guaranteed constitution vested human beginning moment fertilization cloning moment individual comes prohibits construing act authorize prosecution woman death unborn child


Summary:
War Memorial Protection Act - Permits emblems of belief approved for placement on government-provided headstones and markers to be included as part of: (1) a military memorial established or acquired by the federal government; or (2) any other military memorial established in cooperation with the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Includes as approved emblems, at a minimum, all those authorized by the National Cemetery Administration.

war memorial protection act permits belief approved placement government provided headstones markers included military memorial established acquired federal government military memorial established cooperation american_battle_monuments_commission includes approved minimum authorized national_cemetery_administration


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

Equitable Access to Care and Health Act or the EACH Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to minimum essential health care coverage requirements added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to allow an additional religious exemption from such requirements for individuals whose sincerely held religious beliefs would cause them to object to medical health care provided under such coverage.

Defines "medical health care" to mean voluntary health treatment by or supervised by a medical doctor that would be covered under minimum essential coverage that: (1) includes voluntary acute care treatment at hospital emergency rooms, walk-in clinics, or similar facilities; and (2) excludes treatment not administered or supervised by a medical doctor, physical examinations or treatment required by law or third parties, and vaccinations.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated equitable access care health act act amends internal revenue code respect minimum essential health care coverage requirements added patient_protection affordable care act allow additional religious exemption requirements individuals sincerely held religious beliefs cause object medical health care provided coverage defines medical health care mean voluntary health treatment supervised medical doctor covered minimum essential coverage includes voluntary acute care treatment hospital emergency rooms walk clinics similar facilities excludes treatment administered supervised medical doctor physical examinations treatment required law parties vaccinations


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

Protecting Taxpayers from Intrusive IRS Requests Act - Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from asking any taxpayer any question regarding religious, political, or social beliefs.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) any exceptions to such prohibition should identify the specific questions authorized, the class of taxpayers to whom such questions may be asked, and the circumstances under which such questions may be asked; and (2) if the IRS Commissioner determines that asking such questions would aid in the efficient administration of the tax laws, the Commissioner should submit a report to Congress that includes such questions in verbatim form and describes such class of taxpayers and circumstances.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated protecting_taxpayers intrusive irs requests act prohibits internal_revenue_service irs asking taxpayer question religious political social beliefs expresses sense congress exceptions prohibition identify specific questions authorized class taxpayers questions asked circumstances questions asked irs commissioner determines asking questions aid efficient administration tax laws commissioner submit report congress includes questions form describes class taxpayers circumstances


Summary:
Freedom to Pray Act - Prohibits the federal government from revoking or withholding federal financial assistance that would otherwise be provided to any recipient on the basis of religious activities that are conducted voluntarily and initiated by participants in a program or activity carried out by such recipient.

Prohibits this Act from being construed to authorize the United States or any state or political subdivision to: (1) sponsor a religious activity, (2) prohibit a recipient of federal financial assistance from ensuring that a religious activity does not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of the program or activities carried out by such recipient, (3) require any person to participate in prayer or other religious activity, or (4) compel any employee or agent of a program or activity that is carried out by a recipient of federal financial assistance to participate in an activity if the content of the speech at the activity is contrary to their beliefs.

freedom act prohibits federal government revoking withholding federal financial assistance provided recipient basis religious activities conducted voluntarily initiated participants program activity carried recipient prohibits act construed authorize united_states state political subdivision sponsor religious activity prohibit recipient federal financial assistance ensuring religious activity materially substantially interfere orderly conduct program activities carried recipient require person participate prayer religious activity compel employee agent program activity carried recipient federal financial assistance participate activity content speech activity contrary beliefs


Summary:
Women's Health Protection Act of 2013 - Makes the following limitations and requirements concerning abortion services unlawful and prohibits their imposition or application by any government:

 a requirement that a medical professional perform specific tests or follow specific medical procedures, unless generally required in the case of medically comparable procedures; a limitation on an abortion provider's ability to delegate tasks, other than one applicable to medically comparable procedures; a limitation on an abortion provider's ability to prescribe or dispense drugs based on her or his good-faith medical judgment, other than one generally applicable; a limitation on an abortion provider's ability to provide abortion services via telemedicine, other than one generally applicable; a requirement or limitation concerning the physical plant, equipment, staffing, or hospital transfer arrangements of facilities where abortions are performed, or the credentials, hospital privileges, or status of personnel at such facilities that is not otherwise imposed where medically comparable procedures are performed; a requirement that, prior to obtaining an abortion, a woman make medically unnecessary visits to the provider of abortion services or to any individual or entity that does not provide such services; and a requirement or limitation that prohibits or restricts medical training for abortion procedures, other than one generally applicable to medically comparable procedures. Makes unlawful a measure or action that restricts the provision of abortion services, or the facilities that provide them, that is similar to any of those described above if it singles out abortion services or make abortion services more difficult to access and does not significantly advance women's health or the safety of abortion services.

Provides standards for the making of a prima facie case in a civil action challenging such restrictions and factors to be considered by a court in determining whether a measure or action impedes access to abortion services.

Makes the following other restrictions on the performance of abortion unlawful and prohibits their imposition or application by any government:

 a prohibition or ban prior to fetal viability; a prohibition after fetal viability when, in the good-faith medical judgment of the treating physician, continuation of the pregnancy would pose a risk to the woman's life or health; a restriction that limits a woman's ability to obtain an immediate abortion when a health care professional believes, based on good-faith medical judgment, that delay would pose a risk to the woman's health; and a prohibition or restriction on obtaining an abortion prior to fetal viability based on a woman's reasons or perceived reasons or that requires her to state her reasons before obtaining an abortion prior to fetal viability. Requires courts to liberally construe the provisions of this Act.

Authorizes the Attorney General or an individual or entity aggrieved by (or a health facility or medical professional adversely affected by) a violation of this Act, to commence a civil action for injunctive relief.

Preempts any provision enacted by a state or subdivision having the force of law that conflicts with any provision of this Act.

makes following limitations requirements concerning abortion services unlawful prohibits imposition application government requirement medical professional perform specific tests follow specific medical procedures generally required case medically comparable procedures limitation abortion provider ability delegate tasks applicable medically comparable procedures limitation abortion provider ability prescribe dispense drugs based good faith medical judgment generally applicable limitation abortion provider ability provide abortion services telemedicine generally applicable requirement limitation concerning physical plant equipment staffing hospital transfer arrangements facilities abortions performed credentials hospital privileges status personnel facilities imposed medically comparable procedures performed requirement prior obtaining abortion woman medically unnecessary visits provider abortion services individual entity provide services requirement limitation prohibits restricts medical training abortion procedures generally applicable medically comparable procedures makes unlawful measure action restricts provision abortion services facilities provide similar described abortion services abortion services difficult access significantly advance women health safety abortion services provides standards making prima facie case civil action challenging restrictions factors considered court determining measure action impedes access abortion services makes following restrictions performance abortion unlawful prohibits imposition application government prohibition ban prior fetal viability prohibition fetal viability good faith medical judgment treating physician continuation pregnancy pose risk woman life health restriction limits woman ability obtain immediate abortion health care professional believes based good faith medical judgment delay pose risk woman health prohibition restriction obtaining abortion prior fetal viability based woman reasons perceived reasons requires state reasons obtaining abortion prior fetal viability requires courts liberally provisions act authorizes attorney general individual entity aggrieved health facility medical professional adversely affected violation act commence civil action injunctive relief preempts provision enacted state subdivision having force law conflicts provision act


Summary: Faith and Fairness Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to define "minister of the gospel" for purposes of the tax exclusion of the rental value of a home or rental allowance provided to such minister to include any duly recognized official of a religious, spiritual, moral, or ethical organization (whether theistic or not).

faith fairness act amends internal revenue code define minister purposes tax exclusion rental value home rental allowance provided minister include duly recognized official religious moral ethical organization


Summary:
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax exemption of political organizations, to revise the definition of "political organization" to mean a party, committee, association, fund, or other organization (whether or not incorporated) that: (1) is registered as a political committee with the Federal Election Commission (FEC); (2) has been determined to be a political committee in administrative or judicial proceedings; or (3) is organized and operated primarily to accept contributions or make expenditures to influence, or attempt to influence, the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of any individual to state or local public office, is not required to register with the FEC, and is required to register with the appropriate state agency as a political committee.

Defines "promotion of social welfare," for purposes of the tax-exemption for social welfare organizations, to include: (1) any political activity in furtherance of American democracy, provided that such activities do not exceed 50% of the organization's total activities; (2) any activities for educating individuals on issues of public importance and on the behavior of public officials, including participation in ballot initiatives and referenda; and (3) certain activities described in the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 as not being expenditures for political purposes.

amends internal revenue code respect tax exemption political organizations revise definition political organization mean party committee association fund organization incorporated registered political committee federal_election_commission fec determined political committee administrative judicial proceedings organized operated primarily accept contributions expenditures influence attempt influence selection nomination election appointment individual state local public office required register fec required register appropriate state agency political committee defines promotion social welfare purposes tax exemption social welfare organizations include political activity furtherance american democracy provided activities exceed organization total activities activities educating individuals issues public importance behavior public officials including participation ballot initiatives referenda certain activities described federal_election_campaign_act expenditures political purposes


Summary:
Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2014 - Prohibits the federal government, and any state that receives federal funding for any program that provides child welfare services under part B (Child and Family Services) or part E (Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV (Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families with Children and for Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act (SSA), from discriminating or taking an adverse action against a child welfare service provider that declines to provide, facilitate, or refer for a child welfare service that conflicts with the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions.

Bars such prohibition from applying to SSA requirements that forbid state entities from denying or delaying adoption or foster care placements on the basis of an adoptive parent's or a child's race, color, or national origin.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withhold 15% of the federal funds that a state receives for such programs if the state violates this Act.

Allows an aggrieved child welfare service provider to assert such an adverse action violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and to obtain all appropriate relief (including declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and reasonable attorney fees and costs).

child welfare provider inclusion act prohibits federal government state receives federal funding program provides child welfare services child family services federal payments foster care adoption assistance title grants states aid services needy families children child-welfare_services social security act ssa discriminating taking adverse action child welfare service provider declines provide facilitate refer child welfare service conflicts provider sincerely held religious beliefs moral convictions bars prohibition applying ssa requirements forbid state entities denying delaying adoption foster care placements basis adoptive parent child race color national origin requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs withhold federal funds state receives programs state violates act allows aggrieved child welfare service provider assert adverse action violation claim defense judicial proceeding obtain appropriate relief including declaratory relief injunctive relief compensatory damages reasonable attorney fees costs


Summary:
Ansel Adams Act - Declares that it is contrary to U.S. public policy to prohibit or restrict photography in public spaces, whether for private, news media, or commercial use.

Requires a federal agency, should it seek to restrict photography of its installations or personnel, to obtain a court order that outlines the national security or other reasons for the restriction. Instructs that such court order shall allow restrictions of such photography when it may lead to the endangerment of public safety or national security.

Prohibits any federal government agency from requiring fees, permits, or insurance as a condition to take still or moving images on federal lands, National Parks and Forests, and public spaces, whether for private, media, or commercial use.

Prohibits federal law enforcement officers or private contractors from seizing any photographic equipment or their contents or memory cards or film nor from ordering a photographer to erase the contents of a camera or memory card or film.

ansel adams act declares contrary public policy prohibit restrict photography public spaces private news media commercial use requires federal agency seek restrict photography installations personnel obtain court order outlines national security reasons restriction instructs court order shall allow restrictions photography lead endangerment public safety national security prohibits federal government agency requiring fees permits insurance condition moving images federal lands public spaces private media commercial use prohibits federal law enforcement officers private contractors seizing photographic equipment contents memory cards film ordering erase contents camera memory card film


Summary:
Hyde Amendment Codification Act - Prohibits the expenditure for any abortion of funds authorized or appropriated by federal law or funds in any trust fund to which funds are authorized or appropriated by federal law .

Prohibits the use of federal funds for any health benefits coverage that includes abortion. (Currently, federal funds cannot be used for abortion services, and plans receiving federal funds must keep them segregated from any funds for abortion services.)

Excludes from such prohibitions an abortion if: (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest; or (2) the woman suffers from a physical disorder, injury, or illness, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, as certified by a physician.

hyde amendment codification act prohibits expenditure abortion funds authorized appropriated federal law funds trust fund funds authorized appropriated federal law prohibits use federal funds health benefits coverage includes abortion currently federal funds abortion services plans receiving federal funds segregated funds abortion services excludes prohibitions abortion pregnancy result rape incest woman suffers physical disorder injury illness including life endangering physical condition caused arising pregnancy place danger death abortion performed certified physician


Summary:
Health Care Provider and Hospital Conscience Protection Act - Prohibits the federal government and any state or local government that receives federal financial assistance from discriminating or retaliating against any individual or health care entity because of a refusal to recommend, refer for, provide coverage for, pay for, provide, perform, assist, or participate in any abortion. Includes within such prohibited discrimination: (1) denial, deprivation, or disqualification in licensing; (2) withholding accreditations, authorizations, loans, grants, aids, assistance, benefits, or privileges; and (3) withholding authorization to expand, improve, finance, or create facilities or programs.

Creates a cause of action for any violation of this Act. Gives federal courts jurisdiction to order any form of legal or equitable relief, including injunctive relief or an order preventing the disbursement of all or a portion of federal financial assistance to a state government until the prohibited conduct has ceased.

 Authorizes the Attorney General to file a civil action seeking injunctive or declaratory relief to enforce compliance with this Act. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate the Director of the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive and investigate complaints alleging a violation of this Act.

 Requires this Act to be construed in favor of broad conscience protection for individuals and health care entities to the maximum extent permitted by the terms of this Act and the Constitution.

health care provider hospital conscience protection act prohibits federal government state local government receives federal financial assistance discriminating retaliating individual health care entity refusal recommend refer provide coverage pay provide perform assist participate abortion includes prohibited discrimination denial deprivation disqualification licensing withholding authorizations loans grants aids assistance benefits privileges withholding authorization expand improve finance create facilities programs creates cause action violation act gives federal courts jurisdiction order form legal equitable relief including injunctive relief order preventing disbursement portion federal financial assistance state government prohibited conduct ceased authorizes attorney general file civil action seeking injunctive declaratory relief enforce compliance act requires secretary health_and_human_services designate director office_for_civil_rights_of_the_department_of_health_and_human_services hhs receive investigate complaints alleging violation act requires act construed favor broad conscience protection individuals health care entities maximum extent permitted terms act constitution


Summary: Life at Conception Act of 2013 - Declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being beginning at the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual comes into being. Prohibits construing this Act to require the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child.

life conception act declares right life guaranteed constitution vested human beginning moment fertilization cloning moment individual comes prohibits construing act require prosecution woman death unborn child


Summary: War Memorial Protection Act of 2013 - Permits religious symbols recognizing the religious background of members of the Armed Forces to be included as part of: (1) a military memorial that is established or acquired by the federal government; or (2) a military memorial not established by the government, but for which the American Battle Monuments Commission cooperated in establishing.

war memorial protection act permits religious symbols recognizing religious background members armed_forces included military memorial established acquired federal government military memorial established government american_battle_monuments_commission cooperated establishing


Summary:
Equitable Access to Care and Health Act or the EACH Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to minimum essential health care coverage requirements added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to allow an additional religious exemption from such requirements for individuals whose sincerely held religious beliefs would cause them to object to medical health care provided under such coverage.

Defines "medical health care" to mean voluntary health treatment by or supervised by a medical doctor that would be covered under minimum essential coverage that: (1) includes voluntary acute care treatment at hospital emergency rooms, walk-in clinics, or similar facilities; and (2) excludes treatment not administered or supervised by a medical doctor, physical examinations or treatment required by law or third parties, and vaccinations.

equitable access care health act act amends internal revenue code respect minimum essential health care coverage requirements added patient_protection affordable care act allow additional religious exemption requirements individuals sincerely held religious beliefs cause object medical health care provided coverage defines medical health care mean voluntary health treatment supervised medical doctor covered minimum essential coverage includes voluntary acute care treatment hospital emergency rooms walk clinics similar facilities excludes treatment administered supervised medical doctor physical examinations treatment required law parties vaccinations


Summary: Protect Against Ideology-Based Targeting Act - Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in reviewing applications for tax-exempt status, from developing or using any methodology that applies disproportionate scrutiny to any applicant for tax-exempt status based on the ideology expressed in the name or purpose of the applicant's organization. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the duties of the Inspector General for Tax Administration of the Department of the Treasury to require reporting to Congress on the number of complaints that allege disproportionate scrutiny of taxpayers who apply for tax-exempt status.

protect ideology based targeting act prohibits internal_revenue_service irs reviewing applications tax exempt status developing methodology applies disproportionate scrutiny applicant tax exempt status based ideology expressed purpose applicant organization amends internal revenue code expand duties inspector general tax administration department treasury require reporting congress number complaints allege disproportionate scrutiny taxpayers apply tax exempt status


Summary:
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act - Prohibits the expenditure of funds authorized or appropriated by federal law or funds in any trust fund to which funds are authorized or appropriated by federal law (federal funds) for any abortion.

Prohibits federal funds from being used for any health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion. (Currently, federal funds cannot be used for abortion services and plans receiving federal funds must keep federal funds segregated from any funds for abortion services.)

Prohibits the inclusion of abortion in any health care service furnished by a federal or District of Columbia health care facility or by any physician or other individual employed by the federal government or the District.

Excludes an abortion from such prohibitions if: (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest; or (2) the woman suffers from a physical disorder, injury, or illness, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, as certified by a physician.

Applies such prohibitions to District of Columbia funds.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disqualify, for purposes of the tax deduction for medical expenses, any amounts paid for an abortion.

Excludes from the definition of "qualified health plan" after December 31, 2013, for purposes of the refundable tax credit for premium assistance for such plans, any plan that includes coverage for abortion.

Excludes from the definitions of "qualified health plan" and "health insurance coverage," for purposes of the tax credit for small employer health insurance expenses, any health plan or benefit that includes coverage for abortions.

Includes any reimbursements or distributions to pay for an abortion in the gross income of participants in flexible spending arrangements under a tax-exempt cafeteria plan, Archer Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs), and health savings accounts (HSAs).

Exempts from the application of such tax provisions: (1) abortions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest or in cases where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, injury, or illness that would, as certified by a physician, endanger her life if an abortion were not performed; and (2) the treatment of any infection, injury, disease, or disorder that was caused by or exacerbated by the performance of an abortion.

taxpayer funding abortion act prohibits expenditure funds authorized appropriated federal law funds trust fund funds authorized appropriated federal law federal funds abortion prohibits federal funds health benefits coverage includes coverage abortion currently federal funds abortion services plans receiving federal funds federal funds segregated funds abortion services prohibits inclusion abortion health care service furnished federal district_of_columbia health care facility physician individual employed federal government district excludes abortion prohibitions pregnancy result rape incest woman suffers physical disorder injury illness including life endangering physical condition caused arising pregnancy place danger death abortion performed certified physician applies prohibitions district_of_columbia funds amends internal revenue code disqualify purposes tax deduction medical expenses amounts paid abortion excludes definition qualified health plan december purposes refundable tax credit premium assistance plans plan includes coverage abortion excludes definitions qualified health plan health insurance coverage purposes tax credit small employer health insurance expenses health plan benefit includes coverage abortions includes reimbursements distributions pay abortion gross income participants flexible spending arrangements tax exempt cafeteria plan archer_medical_savings_accounts msas health savings accounts hsas exempts application tax provisions abortions pregnancies resulting rape incest cases woman suffers physical disorder injury illness certified physician endanger life abortion performed treatment infection injury disease disorder caused exacerbated performance abortion


Summary:
Church Plan Clarification Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that an organization otherwise eligible to participate in a church plan shall not be aggregated with another such organization and treated as a single employer with it unless: (1) one organization provides directly or indirectly at least 80% of the operating funds for the other one during the recipient organization's preceding tax year, and (2) there is a degree of common management or supervision between the organizations.

Preempts any state law relating to wage, salary, or payroll payment, collection, deduction, garnishment, assignment, or withholding which would directly or indirectly prohibit or restrict the inclusion in any church plan of an automatic contribution arrangement.

Excludes from gross income for income tax purposes amounts attributable to transfers of and mergers of church plans that are maintained by the same church or convention or association of churches.

Allows church plans and their supporting organizations to invest plan assets in a group trust (as defined by Internal Revenue Service Revenue Rulings).

church plan clarification act amends internal revenue code declare organization eligible participate church plan shall aggregated organization treated single employer organization provides directly indirectly operating funds recipient organization preceding tax year degree common management supervision organizations preempts state law relating wage salary payroll payment collection deduction garnishment assignment withholding directly indirectly prohibit restrict inclusion church plan automatic contribution arrangement excludes gross income income tax purposes amounts attributable transfers mergers church plans maintained church convention association churches allows church plans supporting organizations invest plan assets group trust defined internal_revenue_service_revenue_rulings


Summary:
Church Health Plan Act of 2013 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to include qualified church plans, established and maintained for employees or their beneficiaries, by a church or by a convention or association of churches, as qualified health plans that provide essential health benefits packages.

Excludes such plans from participation in American Health Benefits Exchanges established by states.

Allows such plans to: (1) differentiate premiums using methods and criteria consistent with those used to assess charges and payments to other qualified health plans based on PPACA risk adjustment requirements and regulations concerning rates and payments, and (2) develop additional methods and criteria to define and account for the actuarial risk associated with the prohibition against qualified church plans enrolling a larger number and more diverse pool of enrollees as long as such additional methods and criteria are consistent with the risk adjustment methods.

Provides standards for deeming an employer participating in such a plan as an eligible small employer for purposes of the income tax credit for employee health insurance expenses.

Deems an individual receiving minimum essential coverage under such a plan to: (1) satisfy the individual responsibility requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, and (2) qualify for premium tax credits and reductions in cost-sharing if the household income requirements are met.

church health plan act amends patient protection affordable care act ppaca include qualified church plans established maintained employees beneficiaries church convention association churches qualified health plans provide essential health benefits packages excludes plans participation established states allows plans premiums methods criteria consistent assess charges payments qualified health plans based ppaca risk adjustment requirements regulations concerning rates payments develop additional methods criteria define account actuarial risk associated prohibition qualified church plans enrolling larger number diverse pool enrollees long additional methods criteria consistent risk adjustment methods provides standards deeming employer participating plan eligible small employer purposes income tax credit employee health insurance expenses deems individual receiving minimum essential coverage plan satisfy individual responsibility requirements internal_revenue_code qualify premium tax credits reductions cost sharing household income requirements met


Summary:
Stop IRS Overreach Act - Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from asking any taxpayer any question regarding religious, political, or social beliefs.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) any exceptions to such prohibition should identify the specific questions authorized, the class of taxpayers to whom such questions may be asked, and the circumstances under which such questions may be asked; and (2) if the IRS Commissioner determines that asking such questions would aid in the efficient administration of the tax laws, the Commissioner should submit a report to Congress that includes such questions in verbatim form and describes such class of taxpayers and the circumstances under which such questions would be asked.

stop irs overreach act prohibits internal_revenue_service irs asking taxpayer question religious political social beliefs expresses sense congress exceptions prohibition identify specific questions authorized class taxpayers questions asked circumstances questions asked irs commissioner determines asking questions aid efficient administration tax laws commissioner submit report congress includes questions form describes class taxpayers circumstances questions asked


Summary:
First Amendment Protection Act - Establishes a cause of action that may be brought against a federal executive agency officer or employee who, in the course of an investigation, audit, decision to disclose any record, or decision to grant a license, permit, or recognition of tax exempt status, discriminates against a person's or group's political or religious viewpoint or affiliation in violation of the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech.

Defines "record" as any item, collection, or grouping of information about an individual or group that: (1) is maintained by an executive agency, including education, financial transactions, medical information, tax information, address, and criminal or employment history; and (2) contains an individual's name or the identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual, such as a finger or voice print or a photograph.

Permits a person or group aggrieved of such a violation to bring a civil action in federal court against the officer or employee (or former officer or employee) for damages or other legal or equitable relief. Allows the court to include the retirement benefits of such an officer or employee in the amount of any damages awarded.

Authorizes the head of an executive agency, if a court determines that an officer or employee of the agency has violated this Act, to terminate such officer or employee and such officer's or employee's benefits, including retirement benefits, without cause.

Provides for such cause of action and termination authority to apply to conduct that occurred before the enactment of this Act.

Expands the categories of nonprofit organizations authorized to file a pleading with a federal court for a declaratory judgment regarding their qualification for tax-exempt status (including any revocation of or change in qualification) to include: (1) civic leagues or organizations; (2) labor, agricultural, or horticultural organizations; and (3) business leagues, chambers of commerce, real-estate boards, boards of trade, or professional football leagues.

cause action brought federal executive agency officer employee course investigation audit decision disclose record decision grant license permit recognition tax exempt status discriminates person group political religious affiliation violation amendment guarantee freedom speech defines record item collection grouping information individual group maintained executive agency including education financial transactions medical information tax information address criminal employment history contains individual identifying number symbol identifying particular assigned individual voice print photograph permits person group aggrieved violation bring civil action federal court officer employee officer employee damages legal equitable relief allows court include retirement benefits officer employee damages awarded authorizes head executive agency court determines officer employee agency violated act terminate officer employee officer employee benefits including retirement benefits cause provides cause action termination authority apply conduct occurred enactment act expands categories nonprofit organizations authorized file pleading federal court declaratory judgment qualification tax exempt status including revocation change qualification include civic leagues organizations labor agricultural organizations business leagues chambers commerce real estate boards boards trade professional football leagues


Summary:
Free All Speech Act of 2014 - Requires any law that restricts political speech of American citizens to apply with equal force to media corporations (such as the New York Times, the American Broadcasting Company [ABC], the National Broadcasting Company [NBC], and the CBS Television Network).

Prohibits such a law from having any force or effect with respect to American citizens to the extent that its application to a media corporation is found unconstitutional.

free speech act requires law restricts political speech american citizens apply equal force media corporations prohibits law having force effect respect american citizens extent application media corporation found unconstitutional


Summary: Authorizes a military chaplain, if called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, to close the prayer according to the dictates of the chaplain's conscience.

authorizes military chaplain called lead prayer outside religious service close prayer according chaplain conscience


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the prohibition against churches and other tax-exempt organizations participating in political campaigns or supporting or opposing candidates for public office. Provides that this repeal shall not invalidate or limit any provision of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.

amends internal revenue code repeal prohibition churches tax exempt organizations participating political campaigns supporting opposing candidates public office provides repeal shall invalidate limit provision federal_election_campaign_act


Summary:
Equitable Access to Care and Health Act or the EACH Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the religious conscience exemption under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to exempt individuals who rely solely on a religious method of healing and for whom the acceptance of medical health services would be inconsistent with their religious beliefs from the requirement to purchase and maintain minimum essential health care coverage.

equitable access care health act act bill amends internal_revenue_code expand religious conscience exemption patient_protection affordable care act exempt individuals rely solely religious method healing acceptance medical health services inconsistent religious beliefs requirement purchase maintain minimum essential health care coverage


Summary:
Protecting Taxpayers from Intrusive IRS Requests Act

Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from asking any taxpayer any question regarding religious, political, or social beliefs.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) any exceptions to such prohibition should identify the specific questions authorized, the class of taxpayers to whom such questions may be asked, and the circumstances under which such questions may be asked; and (2) if the IRS Commissioner determines that asking such questions would aid in the efficient administration of the tax laws, the Commissioner should submit a report to Congress that includes such questions in verbatim form and describes such class of taxpayers and the circumstances under which such questions would be asked.

protecting_taxpayers intrusive irs requests act prohibits internal_revenue_service irs asking taxpayer question religious political social beliefs expresses sense congress exceptions prohibition identify specific questions authorized class taxpayers questions asked circumstances questions asked irs commissioner determines asking questions aid efficient administration tax laws commissioner submit report congress includes questions form describes class taxpayers circumstances questions asked


Summary:
Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2015

Prohibits the federal government, and any state that receives federal funding for any program that provides child welfare services under part B (Child and Family Services) or part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSAct), from discriminating or taking an adverse action against a child welfare service provider that declines to provide, facilitate, or refer for a child welfare service that conflicts with the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions.

Bars such prohibition from applying to SSAct requirements that forbid state entities from denying or delaying adoption or foster care placements on the basis of an adoptive parent's or a child's race, color, or national origin.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to withhold 15% of the federal funds that a state receives for such programs if the state violates this Act.

Allows an aggrieved child welfare service provider to assert such an adverse action violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and to obtain all appropriate relief (including declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs).

child welfare provider inclusion act prohibits federal government state receives federal funding program provides child welfare services child family services foster care adoption assistance title social security act ssact discriminating taking adverse action child welfare service provider declines provide facilitate refer child welfare service conflicts provider sincerely held religious beliefs moral convictions bars prohibition applying ssact requirements forbid state entities denying delaying adoption foster care placements basis adoptive parent child race color national origin requires department_of_health_and_human_services withhold federal funds state receives programs state violates act allows aggrieved child welfare service provider assert adverse action violation claim defense judicial proceeding obtain appropriate relief including declaratory relief injunctive relief compensatory damages reasonable attorney fees costs


Summary:
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax exemption of political organizations, to revise the definition of "political organization" to mean a party, committee, association, fund, or other organization (whether or not incorporated) that: (1) is registered as a political committee with the Federal Election Commission (FEC); (2) has been determined to be a political committee in administrative or judicial proceedings; or (3) is organized and operated primarily to accept contributions or make expenditures to influence, or attempt to influence, the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of any individual to state or local public office, is not required to register with the FEC, and is required to register with the appropriate state agency as a political committee.

Defines "promotion of social welfare," for purposes of the tax-exemption for social welfare organizations, to include: (1) any political activity in furtherance of American democracy, provided that such activities do not exceed 50% of the organization's total activities; (2) any activities for educating individuals on issues of public importance and on the behavior of public officials, including participation in ballot initiatives and referenda; and (3) certain activities described in the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 as not being expenditures for political purposes.

amends internal revenue code respect tax exemption political organizations revise definition political organization mean party committee association fund organization incorporated registered political committee federal_election_commission fec determined political committee administrative judicial proceedings organized operated primarily accept contributions expenditures influence attempt influence selection nomination election appointment individual state local public office required register fec required register appropriate state agency political committee defines promotion social welfare purposes tax exemption social welfare organizations include political activity furtherance american democracy provided activities exceed organization total activities activities educating individuals issues public importance behavior public officials including participation ballot initiatives referenda certain activities described federal_election_campaign_act expenditures political purposes


Summary:
Equitable Access to Care and Health Act or the EACH Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the religious conscience exemption under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to exempt individuals who rely solely on a religious method of healing and for whom the acceptance of medical health services would be inconsistent with their religious beliefs from the requirement to purchase and maintain minimum essential health care coverage. The individual claiming such exemption must provide an attestation that he or she has not received medical health services during the preceding taxable year.

The bill defines "medical health services" to exclude routine dental, vision and hearing services, midwifery services, vaccinations, necessary medical services for children, services required by law or by a third party, and other services provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.

The exemption allowed by this Act does not preempt any state law requiring the provision of medical treatment for children, especially those who are seriously ill.

equitable access care health act act sec bill amends internal_revenue_code expand religious conscience exemption patient_protection affordable care act exempt individuals rely solely religious method healing acceptance medical health services inconsistent religious beliefs requirement purchase maintain minimum essential health care coverage individual claiming exemption provide attestation received medical health services preceding taxable year bill defines medical health services exclude routine dental vision hearing services services vaccinations necessary medical services children services required law party services provided department_of_health_and_human_services exemption allowed act preempt state law requiring provision medical treatment children especially seriously ill


Summary:
Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act of 2015 Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish in the Treasury the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund for the deposit of income, gift, and estate taxes paid by or on behalf of taxpayers: (1) who are designated conscientious objectors opposed to participation in war in any form based upon their sincerely held moral, ethical, or religious beliefs or training (within the meaning of the Military Selective Service Act); and (2) who have certified their beliefs in writing to the Secretary. Requires that: (1) amounts deposited in the Fund be allocated annually to any appropriation not for a military purpose, (2) the Secretary report to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on the total amount transferred into the Fund during the preceding fiscal year and the purposes for which such amount was allocated, and (3) the privacy of individuals using the Fund be protected.

Expresses the sense of Congress that any revenue increase resulting from the creation of the Fund be allocated in a manner consistent with its purposes.

religious freedom peace tax fund act directs secretary treasury establish treasury religious freedom peace tax fund deposit income gift estate taxes paid behalf taxpayers designated conscientious opposed participation war form based sincerely held moral ethical religious beliefs training meaning military_selective_service_act certified beliefs writing secretary requires amounts deposited fund allocated annually appropriation military purpose secretary report house senate_appropriations_committees total transferred fund preceding fiscal year purposes allocated privacy individuals fund protected expresses sense congress revenue increase resulting creation fund allocated manner consistent purposes