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H.R. 4203 100th Congress House

Civil Rights Protection Act of 1988

Official title: A bill to protect the civil rights of Americans and to clarify the application of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitati… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to protect the civil rights of Americans and to clarify the application of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Introduced: March 22, 1988 See on congress.gov
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues AbortionAge discriminationAgricultural economicsCivil Rights and Liberties
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Civil rights legislationCommunicable diseasesDesegregation in educationDisabledDiscrimination in employmentEducationEmployment of the handicappedFederal aid to educationFederal aid to handicapped servicesFood stampsHospitalsLabor and EmploymentPublic assistance programsRacial discriminationReligion and ClergyReligious libertySex discriminationSex discrimination against womenSex discrimination in educationWomen's educationWomen's rights
This bill died when the 100th Congress ended
It never became law before the 100th Congress (1987–1988) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 23, 1988
Referred to Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.
Mar 17, 1988
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
Mar 17, 1988
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Mar 17, 1988
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 23, 1988

Referred to Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Civil Rights Protection Act of 1988 - Amends title IX (Prohibition of Sex Discrimination) of the Education Amendments of 1972 to define the phrase "program or activity" and the term "program" to mean all the operations of the following entities, any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance: (1) the part of a department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or local government to which the assistance is extended; (2) the part of the entity of a State or local government which distributes such assistance; (3) a college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or public system of higher education; (4) a local educational agency, system of vocational education, or other school system; and (5) a corporation, partnership, or other private organization or sole proprietorship. States that such terms do not include any operation of an entity which is controlled by a religious organization.

States that nothing in such Act shall be construed to: (1) require or prohibit any person or entity to provide or pay for an abortion; or (2) permit a penalty to be imposed upon any person who is seeking or has had a legal abortion.

Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to define the phrase "program or activity" to mean all of the activities of the aforementioned entities.

States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to extend the application of such Acts to: (1) ultimate beneficiaries of Federal financial assistance excluded from coverage before the enactment of this Act; (2) any part of a church or synagogue, if such part does not receive Federal financial assistance; (3) any grocery store, supermarket, or other similar business entity based upon participation in the Federal Food Stamp Program; or (4) any farm, farmer, ranch, or rancher based upon participation in any Federal agricultural program.

States that this Act does not require any individual or hospital, or other institution, program, or activity that receives Federal financial assistance to perform or pay for an abortion.

Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to provide that the anti-discrimination provisions relating to employment shall not apply to individuals having a contagious disease or infection who, by reason of such disease or infection: (1) would constitute a direct threat to the health or safety of others; or (2) are unable to perform the duties of the job.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4203: Civil Rights Protection Act of 1988. 100th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4203/
MLA
"H.R. 4203: Civil Rights Protection Act of 1988." 100th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4203/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4203, 100th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4203/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4203: Civil Rights Protection Act of 1988](https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4203/)
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