Summary:
Runaway and Homeless Youth Inclusion Act of 2013 - Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to revise requirements for services provided under grants from the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for centers for runaway and homeless youth and their families.

Requires the plan proposed by grant applicants for a runaway and homeless youth center to:

 provide services to persons in a minority category related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, include demographics on the sexual orientation and gender identity or expression of the youth it serves within its statistical records, and serve youth in a manner that is culturally competent. Revises requirements for:

 transitional living programs for homeless youth to require such programs to serve them in a manner that is culturally competent, and sexual abuse prevention programs to require certification to HHS that these programs have systems in place to ensure services to all youth in such a manner. Requires the HHS report on periodic estimates of incidence and prevalence of youth homelessness to include data on the demographics of such individuals (except identity), including whether they are sexual and gender minority youth.

Prohibits any person in the United States, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability, from being excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under: (1) any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available under the Act; or (2) any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, agreements, and other assistance administered with such funds.

Grants the Attorney General and the Office of Justice Programs the same authority to enforce this Act as granted under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.

runaway homeless youth inclusion act amends runaway homeless youth act revise requirements services provided grants secretary health_and_human_services hhs centers runaway homeless youth families requires plan proposed grant applicants runaway homeless youth center provide services persons minority category related sexual orientation gender identity expression include demographics sexual orientation gender identity expression youth serves statistical records serve youth manner culturally competent revises requirements transitional living programs homeless youth require programs serve manner culturally competent sexual abuse prevention programs require certification hhs programs systems place ensure services youth manner requires hhs report periodic estimates incidence prevalence youth homelessness include data demographics individuals identity including sexual gender minority youth prohibits person united_states basis actual perceived race color religion national origin sex sexual orientation gender identity expression disability excluded participation denied benefits subjected discrimination program activity funded funds available act program activity funded funds appropriated grants agreements assistance administered funds grants attorney general office_of_justice_programs authority enforce act granted omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act


Summary: Social Security Equality Act of 2013 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to authorize the treatment of permanent partnerships between individuals of the same gender as marriage for purposes of determining entitlement to OASDI benefits.

amends title old age survivors disability insurance oasdi social security act authorize treatment permanent partnerships individuals gender marriage purposes determining entitlement oasdi benefits


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

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

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


Summary:
Voices for Veterans Act - Expands the membership of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans to include veterans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2017 (currently, 2014).

veterans act expands membership advisory_committee_on_minority_veterans include veterans lesbian gay bisexual transgender terminates commission december currently


Summary:
Military Separation Pay Fairness Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to determine whether former members of the Armed Forces who were separated for a violation of the policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces as in effect before the effective date of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 were paid: (1) the full amount of separation pay to which they should have been entitled under standard military separation pay laws, or (2) a reduced amount because of homosexuality pursuant to administrative instructions in place at the time of the separation.

Requires the Secretary to pay such a former member who has not received the full military separation pay: (1) the amount of the difference between the full amount and the amount actually paid, and (2) interest on the amount of the difference.

Excludes former members who joined the class-action settlement in Collins v. United States from receiving additional payments for the difference in amounts under such procedures, but provides for former members in such settlement to receive payment for interest on such amount.

military separation pay fairness act directs secretary defense dod determine members armed_forces separated violation policy concerning homosexuality armed_forces effect effective date ask tell repeal act paid separation pay entitled standard military separation pay laws reduced homosexuality pursuant administrative instructions place time separation requires secretary pay member received military separation pay difference actually paid interest difference excludes members joined class action settlement collins united_states receiving additional payments difference amounts procedures provides members settlement receive payment interest


Summary:
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish in the Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor a Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Peoples who shall: (1) direct U.S. government efforts regarding human rights abuses against the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender) community internationally and the advancement of human rights for LGBT people in U.S. foreign policy, and (2) represent the United States internationally in bilateral and multilateral engagement on these matters.

Directs the Special Envoy to develop or update annually for six years a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people.

Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide assistance to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people.

international human rights defense act directs secretary state establish department_of_state labor special envoy human rights lgbt peoples shall direct government efforts human rights abuses lgbt lesbian gay bisexual transgender community internationally advancement human rights lgbt people foreign policy represent united_states internationally bilateral multilateral engagement matters directs special envoy develop update annually years global strategy prevent respond discrimination violence lgbt people authorizes secretary administrator international_development usaid provide assistance prevent respond discrimination violence lgbt people


Summary:
Social Security and Medicare Parity Act of 2014 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act with respect to the determination of a valid marriage to account for marriages in jurisdictions other than a state.

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

Waives the nine-month marriage requirement to make eligible for widow or widower benefits certain widows or widowers whose marriage to a deceased individual would not have been treated as a marriage for federal law purposes before June 26, 2013. Waives the same requirement for anyone who became a stepchild of the deceased individual as a result of such a marriage.

Waives the one-year marriage requirement to make eligible for husband's or wife's OASDI benefits certain husbands and wives whose marriage to an individual would not have been treated as a marriage for federal law purposes before June 26, 2013. Waives the same requirement for anyone who became a stepchild of the individual as a result of such a marriage.

Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to conduct a comprehensive and effective three-year outreach campaign to encourage benefit applications by individuals newly eligible for OASDI benefits as a result of changes in law relating to same-sex marriage and occurring on or after June 26, 2013.

social_security amends title old age survivors disability insurance oasdi social security act respect determination valid marriage account marriages jurisdictions state authorizes courts state find oasdi benefit applicant insured individual validly married jurisdiction state time applicant files benefit application insured individual dead time individual died waives month marriage requirement eligible widow widower benefits certain widows widowers marriage deceased individual treated marriage federal law purposes june waives requirement stepchild deceased individual result marriage waives year marriage requirement eligible husband wife oasdi benefits certain marriage individual treated marriage federal law purposes june waives requirement stepchild individual result marriage directs commissioner social_security conduct comprehensive effective year outreach campaign encourage benefit applications individuals newly eligible oasdi benefits result changes law relating sex marriage occurring june


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

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

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


Summary: Copyright and Marriage Equality Act - Amends federal copyright law to revise the definition of "widow" or "widower" for purposes of provisions concerning the transfer of a copyright to an author's spouse or other next of kin following the author's death. Declares that an individual is the widow or widower of an author if the courts of the state in which the individual and the author were married (or, if the individual and the author were not married in any state but were validly married in another jurisdiction, the courts of any state) would find that the individual and the author were validly married at the time of the author's death. (Currently, only the author's surviving spouse under the law of the author's domicile at the time of death is considered a widow.)

copyright marriage equality act amends federal copyright law revise definition widow widower purposes provisions concerning transfer copyright author spouse kin following author death declares individual widow widower author courts state individual author married individual author married state validly married jurisdiction courts state find individual author validly married time author death currently author surviving spouse law author domicile time death considered widow


Summary: Amends the federal criminal code to remove the requirement that a hate crime involve conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce.

amends federal criminal code remove requirement hate crime involve conduct affecting interstate foreign commerce


Summary: Jury Access for Capable Citizens and Equality in Service Selection Act of 2013 or the Jury ACCESS Act - Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit the exclusion of citizens from service as a grand or petit juror in U.S. district courts or the Court of International Trade on account of sexual orientation or gender identity (thereby expanding the current prohibition on exclusion on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status).

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


Summary:
Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for, enforcement of, and exceptions to prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Summary:
Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2013 - Imposes criminal penalties on anyone who knowingly or knowingly attempts to: (1) perform an abortion knowing that the abortion is sought based on the sex or gender of the child, (2) use force or the threat of force to intentionally injure or intimidate any person for the purpose of coercing a sex-selection abortion, (3) solicit or accept funds for the performance of such an abortion, or (4) transport a woman into the United States or across a state line for the purpose of obtaining such an abortion.

Defines "sex-selection abortion" as an abortion undertaken to eliminate an unborn child based on the sex or gender of the child.

Excludes from the definition of "abortion" actions taken to terminate a pregnancy if the intent is to save the life or preserve the health of the unborn child, remove a dead unborn child caused by spontaneous abortion, or remove an ectopic pregnancy.

Authorizes civil actions, for verifiable money damages for injuries and punitive damages, by: (1) fathers, or maternal grandparents if the mother is an unemancipated minor, of unborn children who are the subject of an abortion performed or attempted through any of the above violations; and (2) women upon whom an abortion has been performed with a knowing or attempted use of force or threat of force to intentionally injure or intimidate any person for the purpose of coercing a sex-selection abortion.

Authorizes, to prevent an abortion provider from performing or attempting further abortions in violation of this Act, injunctive relief to be obtained by the women upon whom such an abortion is performed or attempted, spouses or parents of a woman upon whom such an abortion is performed, or the Attorney General (DOJ).

Deems a violation of this Act to be prohibited discrimination under title VI (Federally Assisted Programs) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (Violators of title VI lose federal funding.)

Requires a medical or mental health professional to report known or suspected violations to law enforcement authorities. Imposes criminal penalties for a failure to so report.

Prohibits a woman having such an abortion from being prosecuted or held civilly liable.

Prohibits this Act from being construed to require that a healthcare provider has an affirmative duty to inquire as to the motivation for the abortion, absent the healthcare provider having knowledge or information that the abortion is sought based on the sex or gender of the child.

prenatal nondiscrimination act imposes criminal penalties knowingly knowingly attempts perform abortion knowing abortion sought based sex gender child use force threat force intentionally injure intimidate person purpose coercing sex selection abortion solicit accept funds performance abortion transport woman united_states state line purpose obtaining abortion defines sex selection abortion abortion undertaken eliminate unborn child based sex gender child excludes definition abortion actions taken terminate pregnancy intent save life preserve health unborn child remove dead unborn child caused spontaneous abortion remove ectopic pregnancy authorizes civil actions verifiable money damages injuries punitive damages fathers maternal grandparents mother unemancipated minor unborn children subject abortion performed attempted violations women abortion performed knowing attempted use force threat force intentionally injure intimidate person purpose coercing sex selection abortion authorizes prevent abortion provider performing attempting abortions violation act injunctive relief obtained women abortion performed attempted spouses parents woman abortion performed attorney general doj deems violation act prohibited discrimination title federally assisted programs civil rights act violators title lose federal funding requires medical mental health professional report known suspected violations law enforcement authorities imposes criminal penalties failure report prohibits woman having abortion prosecuted held civilly liable prohibits act construed require healthcare provider affirmative duty inquire abortion absent healthcare provider having knowledge information abortion sought based sex gender child


Summary:
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 - (Sec. 4) Prohibits covered entities (employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, or joint labor-management committees) from engaging in employment discrimination on the basis of an individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Declares that it shall be unlawful for an employer, because of an individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, to: (1) fail or refuse to hire, to discharge, or to otherwise discriminate with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment of such individual; or (2) limit, segregate, or classify employees or applicants in any way that would deprive any individual of employment or adversely affect an individual's status as an employee. Prohibits employment agencies, labor organizations, and training programs from engaging in similar practices that would adversely affect individuals based on such actual or perceived orientation or identity.

Specifies that such unlawful employment practices include actions based on the actual or perceived orientation or identity of a person with whom the individual associates.

Prohibits certain employment actions from being considered unlawful with respect to volunteers who receive no compensation.

Prohibits a covered entity from granting preferential treatment or implementing quotas on the basis of such actual or perceived orientation or identity.

Limits the claims authorized to be brought under this Act to disparate treatment claims (thereby specifying that disparate impact claims are not provided for under this Act).

Places the burden of proof on the complaining party to establish such an unlawful employment practice by demonstrating that sexual orientation or gender identity was a motivating factor for any employment practice, even though other factors also motivated the practice.

(Sec. 5) Prohibits a covered entity from discriminating against an individual who: (1) opposed such an unlawful employment practice; or (2) made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Act.

(Sec. 6) Makes this Act inapplicable to corporations, associations, educational institutions or institutions of learning, or societies exempt from the religious discrimination provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (thereby establishing a religious employer's exemption).

Prohibits a federal agency, or any state or local agency that receives federal funding or financial assistance, from: (1) penalizing or withholding licenses, permits, certifications, accreditation, contracts, grants, guarantees, tax-exempt status, or any benefits or exemptions from an exempt religious employer; or (2) prohibiting a religious employer from participating in programs or activities sponsored by such agency.

Prohibits the religious employer's exemption and related requirements from invalidating any other federal, state, or local law or regulation that otherwise applies to a religious employer.

(Sec. 7) Makes this Act inapplicable to the relationship between the United States and members of the Armed Forces.

Declares that this Act does not repeal or modify any federal, state, territorial, or local law creating a special right or preference concerning employment for a veteran.

(Sec. 8) Prohibits this Act from being construed to: (1) prohibit an employer from requiring an employee to adhere to reasonable dress or grooming standards, or (2) require the construction of new or additional facilities.

(Sec. 9) Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Secretary of Labor from compelling collection or requiring production of statistics from covered entities on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity pursuant to this Act.

(Sec. 10) Provides for the administration and enforcement of this Act, including by giving the EEOC, Librarian of Congress, Attorney General (DOJ), and U.S. courts the same enforcement powers as they have under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, and other laws granting rights and protections to certain applicants and employees.

Prohibits an individual who files claims alleging an unlawful employment practice under this Act in addition to alleging an unlawful employment practice because of sex under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 from receiving double recovery under both Acts.

Authorizes the court, in a case in which sexual orientation or gender identity was proven to be a motivating factor but the respondent then demonstrates that the same action would have been taken in the absence of the impermissible motivating factor, to grant declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees and costs demonstrated to be directly attributable only to the pursuit of the claim. Prohibits the court, in such an instance, from awarding damages or issuing an order requiring any admission, reinstatement, hiring, promotion, or payment.

(Sec. 11) Allows actions and proceedings, subject to exception, against the United States and the states. Declares that a state's receipt or use of federal financial assistance for specified programs or activities constitutes a waiver of sovereign immunity to a suit brought by an employee or applicant for employment of that program or activity. Prohibits punitive damages from being available in actions and proceedings against states or the United States and limits compensatory damages in such cases to the extent specifically authorized.

(Sec. 12) Permits a decisionmaker (other than the Attorney General) in an action or administrative proceeding under this Act to allow the prevailing party (other than the EEOC or the United States) a reasonable attorney's fee (including expert fees) as part of the costs, to the same extent as is permitted under specified civil and employee rights laws. Requires the EEOC and the United States to be liable for costs to the same extent as a private person.

(Sec. 13) Provides authority for amended employee notices to be posted in employee areas for purposes of this Act, but does not require the posting of a separate notice.

(Sec. 15) Prohibits this Act from invalidating or limiting the rights, remedies, or procedures available to an individual claiming discrimination prohibited under any other federal, state, or political subdivision laws.

employment non discrimination act sec prohibits covered entities employers employment agencies labor organizations joint labor management committees engaging employment discrimination basis individual actual perceived sexual orientation gender identity declares shall unlawful employer individual actual perceived sexual orientation gender identity fail refuse hire discharge discriminate respect compensation terms conditions privileges employment individual limit classify employees applicants way individual employment adversely affect individual status employee prohibits employment agencies labor organizations training programs engaging similar practices adversely affect individuals based actual perceived orientation identity specifies unlawful employment practices include actions based actual perceived orientation identity person individual associates prohibits certain employment actions considered unlawful respect volunteers receive compensation prohibits covered entity granting preferential treatment implementing quotas basis actual perceived orientation identity limits claims authorized brought act disparate treatment claims specifying disparate impact claims provided act places burden proof complaining party establish unlawful employment practice demonstrating sexual orientation gender identity motivating factor employment practice factors motivated practice sec prohibits covered entity discriminating individual opposed unlawful employment practice charge testified assisted participated investigation proceeding hearing act sec makes act inapplicable corporations associations educational institutions institutions learning societies exempt religious discrimination provisions civil rights act establishing religious employer exemption prohibits federal agency state local agency receives federal funding financial assistance penalizing withholding licenses permits certifications accreditation contracts grants guarantees tax exempt status benefits exemptions exempt religious employer prohibiting religious employer participating programs activities sponsored agency prohibits religious employer exemption related requirements invalidating federal state local law regulation applies religious employer sec makes act inapplicable relationship united_states members armed_forces declares act repeal modify federal state territorial local law creating special right preference concerning employment veteran sec prohibits act construed prohibit employer requiring employee adhere reasonable dress grooming standards require construction new additional facilities sec prohibits equal_employment_opportunity_commission eeoc secretary labor compelling collection requiring production statistics covered entities actual perceived sexual orientation gender identity pursuant act sec provides administration enforcement act including giving eeoc librarian congress attorney general doj courts enforcement powers specified provisions civil rights act government employee rights act congressional_accountability_act laws granting rights protections certain applicants employees prohibits individual files claims alleging unlawful employment practice act addition alleging unlawful employment practice sex civil rights act receiving double recovery acts authorizes court case sexual orientation gender identity proven motivating factor respondent demonstrates action taken absence impermissible motivating factor grant declaratory relief injunctive relief attorney fees costs demonstrated directly attributable pursuit claim prohibits court instance awarding damages issuing order requiring admission reinstatement hiring promotion payment sec allows actions proceedings subject exception united_states states declares state receipt use federal financial assistance specified programs activities constitutes waiver sovereign immunity suit brought employee applicant employment program activity prohibits punitive damages available actions proceedings states united_states limits compensatory damages cases extent specifically authorized sec permits attorney general action administrative proceeding act allow prevailing party eeoc united_states reasonable attorney fee including expert fees costs extent permitted specified civil employee rights laws requires eeoc united_states liable costs extent private person sec provides authority amended employee notices posted employee areas purposes act require posting separate notice sec prohibits act invalidating limiting rights remedies procedures available individual claiming discrimination prohibited federal state political subdivision laws


Summary:
Arbitration Fairness Act of 2013 - Declares that no predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of an employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights dispute.

Declares, further, that the validity and enforceability of an agreement to arbitrate shall be determined by a court, under federal law, rather than an arbitrator, irrespective of whether the party resisting arbitration challenges the arbitration agreement specifically or in conjunction with other terms of the contract containing such agreement.

Exempts from this Act arbitration provisions in a contract between an employer and a labor organization or between labor organizations. Denies to any such arbitration provision, however, the effect of waiving the right of an employee to seek judicial enforcement of a right arising under the U.S. Constitution, a state constitution, a federal or state statute, or related public policy.

arbitration fairness act declares predispute arbitration agreement shall valid enforceable requires arbitration employment consumer antitrust civil rights dispute declares validity enforceability agreement arbitrate shall determined court federal law arbitrator irrespective party resisting arbitration challenges arbitration agreement specifically conjunction terms contract containing agreement exempts act arbitration provisions contract employer labor organization labor organizations denies arbitration provision effect waiving right employee seek judicial enforcement right arising constitution state constitution federal state statute related public policy


Summary:
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act - Declares it an unlawful employment practice for employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and other specified entities to: (1) fail to make reasonable accommodations to known limitations related to the pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions of job applicants or employees, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on such an entity's business operation; (2) deny employment opportunities based on the need of the entity to make such reasonable accommodations; (3) require such job applicants or employees to accept an accommodation that they choose not to accept; or (4) require such employees to take leave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided to their known limitations.

Sets forth enforcement procedures and remedies under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, and the rights and protections extended to presidential offices.

Directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to issue regulations to carry out this Act, including the identification of reasonable accommodations addressing known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

pregnant workers fairness act declares unlawful employment practice employers employment agencies labor organizations specified entities fail reasonable accommodations known limitations related pregnancy childbirth related medical conditions job applicants employees accommodation impose undue hardship entity business operation deny employment opportunities based need entity reasonable accommodations require job applicants employees accept accommodation choose accept require employees leave reasonable accommodation provided known limitations sets forth enforcement procedures remedies civil rights act congressional_accountability_act government employee rights act rights protections extended presidential offices directs equal_employment_opportunity_commission eeoc issue regulations carry act including identification reasonable accommodations addressing known limitations related pregnancy childbirth related medical conditions


Summary:
Strengthening Health Disparities Data Collection Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the categories of data the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required to ensure is collected and reported regarding federally conducted or supported health care or public health programs to include the sexual orientation and gender identity of applicants, recipients, or participants. (Current law requires the collection of data on race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, and disability status.)

Eliminates the prerequisite of direct appropriations for the collection of such health data.

expand categories data secretary health_and_human_services hhs required ensure collected reported federally conducted supported health care public health programs include sexual orientation gender identity applicants recipients participants current law requires collection data race ethnicity sex primary language disability status eliminates prerequisite direct appropriations collection health data


Summary:
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 - Prohibits public school students from being excluded from participating in, or subject to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates.

Considers harassment to be a form of discrimination.

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


Summary:
Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2013 - States as the purpose of this Act to apply the same employment benefits and obligations to federal employees in same-sex domestic partnerships and to their domestic partners as apply to married federal employees and their spouses.

Amends provisions of federal civil service law to extend employment-related and retirement benefits to domestic partners of federal employees and to set forth requirements for establishing and terminating a domestic partnership, including the filing of an affidavit attesting to the existence and legitimacy of the partnership.

Requires authorized officers and agencies to develop and issue guidance documentation with respect to domestic partner benefits and obligations established by this Act. Provides for a biennial review of programs under which such benefits and obligations are established.

Modifies provisions relating to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) to extend eligibility for annuity and survivor benefits to current and former domestic partners of federal employees on the same basis as married employees. Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations to provide that domestic partners and former domestic partners shall be considered as spouses or former spouses for purposes of creditable service determinations under CSRS and FERS.

Makes domestic partners of federal employees eligible for: (1) the federal employee group life insurance (FEGLI) program, (2) federal employees health benefits (FEHB), (3) dental and vision benefit plans, and (4) long-term care insurance coverage.

 Extends to domestic partners of federal employees: (1) reimbursement for taxes related to payments for travel, transportation, and moving or storage expenses; (2) payment of relocation expenses and reimbursement for related taxes incurred by federal employees transferred in the interest of the government, including employees on extended assignment; and (3) allowances for the transportation of family members of domestic partners held captive and repatriated.

Modifies definitions applicable under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) to include domestic partners and their children.

Applies to domestic partners provisions of federal civil service law and regulations relating to: (1) voluntary transfers of leave and the voluntary leave bank program, (2) unpaid leave to care for family members under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, (3) settlement of accounts of federal employees who die without specifying a beneficiary, (4) federal employees in captive or missing status due to hostile action and employees or family members who suffer death or disability caused by hostile action, and (5) the annuity of the Comptroller General (GAO) and related survivor benefits.

 Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to make provisions of that Act relating to financial disclosure, limitations on outside earned income and employment, and gifts to superiors and to federal employees applicable to federal employees in a domestic partnership and their domestic partners.

 Amends the federal criminal code to expand the applicability of prohibitions against bribery of public officials and conflicts of interest to cover a domestic partner of a federal official or employee and to include domestic partners in exemptions from such prohibitions.

 Extends to domestic partners of public officials the prohibitions against the employment of relatives in federal service and against receiving gifts or decorations from a foreign government.

benefits obligations act 2013_-_states purpose act apply employment benefits obligations federal employees sex domestic partnerships domestic partners apply married federal employees spouses amends provisions federal civil service law extend employment related retirement benefits domestic partners federal employees set forth requirements establishing terminating domestic partnership including filing affidavit attesting existence partnership requires authorized officers agencies develop issue guidance documentation respect domestic partner benefits obligations established act provides biennial review programs benefits obligations established modifies provisions relating civil_service_retirement_system csrs fers extend eligibility annuity survivor benefits current domestic partners federal employees basis married employees requires prescribe regulations provide domestic partners domestic partners shall considered spouses spouses purposes creditable service determinations csrs fers makes domestic partners federal employees eligible federal employee group life insurance program federal employees health benefits fehb dental vision benefit plans long term care insurance coverage extends domestic partners federal employees reimbursement taxes related payments travel transportation moving storage expenses payment relocation expenses reimbursement related taxes incurred federal employees transferred interest government including employees extended assignment allowances transportation family members domestic partners held captive repatriated modifies definitions applicable feca include domestic partners children applies domestic partners provisions federal civil service law regulations relating voluntary transfers leave voluntary leave bank program unpaid leave care family members family medical leave act settlement accounts federal employees die specifying beneficiary federal employees captive missing status hostile action employees family members suffer death disability caused hostile action annuity comptroller_general gao related survivor benefits amends ethics government act provisions act relating financial disclosure limitations outside earned income employment gifts federal employees applicable federal employees domestic partnership domestic partners amends federal criminal code expand applicability prohibitions bribery public officials conflicts interest cover domestic partner federal official employee include domestic partners exemptions prohibitions extends domestic partners public officials prohibitions employment relatives federal service receiving gifts decorations foreign government


Summary:
Marriage and Religious Freedom Act - Prohibits the federal government from taking an adverse action against a person on the basis that such person acts in accordance with a religious belief that: (1) marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, or (2) sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage.

Defines "adverse action" as any federal government action to discriminate against a person who is acting in accordance with such religious belief, including a federal government action to:

 deny or revoke certain tax exemptions or disallow a deduction of any charitable contribution made to or by such person; alter the federal tax treatment of, or cause any tax, penalty, or payment to be assessed against, such person or such person's employees with respect to any employee benefit provided or not provided by such person; deem an employee benefit plan covering employees of such person to have lost its status as a qualified plan under the Internal Revenue Code, or to be in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, because the plan fails to provide a benefit, right, or feature on account of such person's religious belief; deny or exclude such person from receiving any federal grant, contract, cooperative agreement, loan, license, certification, accreditation, employment, or similar position or status; or deny or withhold any benefit under a federal benefit program. Permits a person to assert an actual or threatened violation of this Act as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and to obtain compensatory damages or other appropriate relief against the federal government.

Authorizes the Attorney General (DOJ) to bring actions against certain independent establishments of the executive branch (certain establishments in the executive branch, other than the U.S. Postal Service [USPS] and the Postal Regulatory Commission, that are not executive departments, military departments, or government corporations) to enforce this Act.

Specifies that the term "person" includes any person regardless of religious affiliation, as well as corporations and other entities regardless of for-profit or nonprofit status.

Civil rights and liberties, minority issues

marriage religious freedom act prohibits federal government taking adverse action person basis person acts accordance religious belief marriage recognized union man woman sexual relations properly reserved marriage defines adverse action federal government action discriminate person acting accordance religious belief including federal government action deny revoke certain tax exemptions disallow deduction charitable contribution person alter federal tax treatment cause tax penalty payment assessed person person employees respect employee benefit provided provided person deem employee benefit plan covering employees person lost status qualified plan internal revenue code violation employee retirement income security act plan fails provide benefit right feature account person religious belief deny exclude person receiving federal grant contract cooperative agreement loan license certification accreditation employment similar position status deny withhold benefit federal benefit program permits person assert actual threatened violation act claim defense judicial proceeding obtain compensatory damages appropriate relief federal government authorizes attorney general doj bring actions certain independent establishments executive branch certain establishments executive branch usps postal_regulatory_commission executive departments military departments government corporations enforce act specifies term person includes person regardless religious affiliation corporations entities regardless profit nonprofit status


Summary: State Marriage Defense Act of 2014 - Prohibits, for purposes of determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of U.S. administrative bureaus and agencies, as applied with respect to individuals domiciled in a state or in any other territory or possession of the United States: (1) the term "marriage" from including any relationship that the state, territory, or possession does not recognize as a marriage; and (2) the term "spouse" from including an individual who is a party to a relationship that is not recognized as a marriage by that state, territory, or possession.

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


Summary:
Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for, enforcement of, and exceptions to prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


Summary:
Respect for Marriage Act

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

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

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


Summary:
Copyright and Marriage Equality Act

Amends federal copyright law to revise the definition of "widow" or "widower" for purposes of provisions concerning the transfer of a copyright to an author's spouse or other next of kin following the author's death. Declares that an individual is the widow or widower of an author if the courts of the state in which the individual and the author were married (or, if the individual and the author were not married in any state but were validly married in another jurisdiction, the courts of any state) would find that the individual and the author were validly married at the time of the author's death. (Currently, only the author's surviving spouse under the law of the author's domicile at the time of death is considered a widow.)


Summary: Amends the federal criminal code to remove the requirement that a hate crime involve conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce.


Summary:
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of State to establish in the Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor a Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Peoples who shall:

 direct U.S. government efforts regarding the human rights of LGBT people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender); represent the United States in diplomatic matters relevant to the human rights of LGBT people, including discrimination and violence against LGBT people; serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary of State regarding human rights for LGBT people; and implement activities regarding support, education, resettlement, and empowerment of LGBT people. Directs the Special Envoy to develop or update annually for five years a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people.

Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide assistance to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people.

international human rights defense act directs secretary state establish department_of_state labor special envoy human rights lgbt peoples shall direct government efforts human rights lgbt people lesbian gay bisexual transgender represent united_states diplomatic matters relevant human rights lgbt people including discrimination violence lgbt people serve principal advisor secretary state human rights lgbt people implement activities support education resettlement empowerment lgbt people directs special envoy develop update annually years global strategy prevent respond discrimination violence lgbt people authorizes secretary administrator international_development provide assistance prevent respond discrimination violence lgbt people


Summary:
State Marriage Defense Act of 2015

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

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


Summary:
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2015

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

Considers harassment to be a form of discrimination.

Prohibits retaliation against anyone for opposing conduct they reasonably believe to be unlawful under this Act.

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

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

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

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


Summary:
Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2015

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

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


Summary:
Voices for Veterans Act

Expands the membership of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans to include veterans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2017 (currently, 2015).

veterans act expands membership advisory_committee_on_minority_veterans include veterans lesbian gay bisexual transgender terminates commission december currently


Summary:
Social Security and Marriage Equality Act

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

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

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


Summary:
Paycheck Fairness Act

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Summary:
Social Security and Medicare Parity Act of 2015

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

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

Waives the nine-month marriage requirement to make eligible for widow or widower benefits certain widows or widowers whose marriage to a deceased individual would not have been treated as a marriage for federal law purposes before June 26, 2013. Waives the same requirement for anyone who became a stepchild of the deceased individual as a result of such a marriage.

Waives the one-year marriage requirement to make eligible for husband's or wife's OASDI benefits certain husbands and wives whose marriage to an individual would not have been treated as a marriage for federal law purposes before June 26, 2013. Waives the same requirement for anyone who became a stepchild of the individual as a result of such a marriage.

Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to conduct a comprehensive and effective three-year outreach campaign to encourage benefit applications by individuals newly eligible for OASDI benefits as a result of changes in law relating to same-sex marriage and occurring on or after June 26, 2013.

social_security amends title old age survivors disability insurance oasdi social security act respect determination valid marriage account marriages jurisdictions state authorizes courts state find oasdi benefit applicant insured individual validly married jurisdiction state time applicant files benefit application insured individual dead time individual died waives month marriage requirement eligible widow widower benefits certain widows widowers marriage deceased individual treated marriage federal law purposes june waives requirement stepchild deceased individual result marriage waives year marriage requirement eligible husband wife oasdi benefits certain marriage individual treated marriage federal law purposes june waives requirement stepchild individual result marriage directs commissioner social_security conduct comprehensive effective year outreach campaign encourage benefit applications individuals newly eligible oasdi benefits result changes law relating sex marriage occurring june


Summary:
Support Uniformed Patriots; Prevent Offenses and Restore Trust Act or the SUPPORT Act

This bill directs the Secretary of a military department to ensure that:

 the commander of each unit of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps or Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and all professors of military science, senior military instructors, and civilian employees assigned or employed as administrators and instructors of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps receive sexual assault prevention and response training and education; and information regarding legal assistance and the services of the Department of Defense (DOD) sexual assault prevention and response program is made available to such Reserve Officers' Training Corps personnel. The Secretary of DOD (Secretary) shall establish a strategy to prevent retaliation by members of the Armed Forces against other members who report or otherwise intervene on behalf of sexual assault victims.

The Secretary or the Secretary of a military department may permit a DOD civilian employee who is a victim of a sex-related offense to obtain the services of a Special Victims' Counsel.

The Secretary is directed to improve the Special Victims' Counsel program regarding: (1) criminal justice experience for judge advocates, (2) counsel training, (3) program performance standards, and (4) increased counsel-client communication.

The Secretary shall:

 provide for revised sexual assault prevention and response training to address the incidence of male service members being sexually assaulted, and appropriate DOD mental and medical care (including improved provider guidelines) for male victims; ensure that mental health records are neither sought from a medical treatment facility by investigators or military justice practitioners nor acknowledged or released by medical treatment facility personnel until their production has been ordered by a military judge or Article 32 hearing officer; and examine DOD and interagency review process for implementing statutory changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and explore streamlining options.

prevent offenses restore trust act support act bill directs secretary military department ensure commander unit training corps senior reserve officers training corps professors military science senior military instructors civilian employees assigned employed administrators instructors reserve officers receive sexual assault prevention response training education information legal assistance services department_of_defense dod sexual assault prevention response program available reserve officers personnel secretary dod secretary shall establish strategy prevent retaliation members armed_forces members report intervene behalf sexual assault victims secretary secretary military department permit dod civilian employee victim sex related offense obtain services special victims counsel secretary directed improve special victims counsel program criminal justice experience judge advocates counsel training program performance standards increased counsel client communication secretary shall provide revised sexual assault prevention response training address incidence male service members sexually appropriate dod mental medical care including improved provider guidelines male victims ensure mental health records sought medical treatment facility investigators military justice practitioners acknowledged released medical treatment facility personnel production ordered military judge article hearing officer examine dod interagency review process implementing statutory changes uniform code military justice explore streamlining options


Summary:
Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that gender specific services are continuously available at every VA medical center and community based outpatient clinic.

Authorizes the VA to employ such personnel and enter into such contracts as may be necessary to provide such services based on the standards of the VA and the demand for such services.

directs department_of_veterans_affairs ensure gender specific services continuously available medical center community based outpatient clinic authorizes employ personnel enter contracts necessary provide services based standards demand services


Summary:
Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act of 2015

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

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

Defines: (1) "gender identity" as the gender-related identity, appearance, or mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of an individual with or without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth; and (2) "sexual orientation" as homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.

freedom discrimination credit act amends equal_credit_opportunity_act expand categories prohibited discrimination extending credit include discrimination account sexual orientation gender identity currently discrimination credit prohibited basis race color religion national origin sex marital status age provides act apply basis certain prohibited forms discrimination actual perceived defines gender identity gender related identity appearance mannerisms gender related characteristics individual regard individual designated sex birth sexual orientation homosexuality bisexuality


Summary:
Federal Employee Gender Diversity Investment Act

This bill establishes a Gender Equality-Focused Stock Index Fund as an investment option for the Thrift Savings Plan. In creating the Fund, the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board must select a minimum of one index that is a commonly-recognized, passively-managed index comprised of stocks that have been analyzed and selected based on criteria that include, at a minimum: (1) gender diversity in corporate board and senior management composition, (2) pay equity, (3) workplace relations and benefits, and (4) international operations and human rights.

bill establishes investment option creating fund federal_retirement_thrift_investment_board select minimum index commonly recognized managed index comprised stocks analyzed selected based criteria include minimum gender diversity corporate board senior management composition pay equity workplace relations benefits international operations human rights


Summary:
Every Child Deserves a Family Act

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

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

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

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

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


Summary:
Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act

Prohibits sexual orientation or gender identity conversion therapy from being provided in exchange for monetary compensation. Bars advertisements for such therapy that claim to: (1) change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, (2) eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender, or (3) be harmless or without risk.

Makes this Act inapplicable to practices that do not seek to change sexual orientation or gender identity if the therapy provides: (1) assistance to an individual undergoing a gender transition; or (2) acceptance, support, and understanding of clients or facilitation of clients' coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices.

Provides authority to Federal Trade Commission to enforce this Act and treats violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

therapeutic fraud prevention act prohibits sexual orientation gender identity conversion therapy provided exchange monetary compensation bars advertisements therapy claim change individual sexual orientation gender identity eliminate reduce sexual individuals gender harmless risk makes act inapplicable practices seek change sexual orientation gender identity therapy provides assistance individual undergoing gender transition acceptance support understanding clients facilitation clients coping social support identity exploration development including sexual orientation neutral interventions prevent address unlawful conduct unsafe sexual practices provides authority federal_trade_commission enforce act treats violations unfair deceptive acts practices federal_trade_commission_act


Summary:
Pregnancy Discrimination Amendment Act

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

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

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

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


Summary:
First Amendment Defense Act

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Summary:
Restore Honor to Service Members Act

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

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

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

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

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

Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice to remove from the offense of sodomy specified activity referred to as unnatural carnal copulation with another person of the same or opposite sex.

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


Summary:
Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act of 2015

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

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