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HR 4117 104th Congress House

Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 1996

Official title: To amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to establish provisions with respect to religious accommodation in employment, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 28, 1996 Introduced by: Nadler, Jerrold Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
Labor and Employment Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesDiscrimination in employmentHours of laborJob sharing
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OvertimeReligionReligious libertySeniority in employmentShift systems
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 4, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
Sep 19, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities.
Sep 19, 1996
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 4, 1996

Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 1996 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to modify the definition of "religion" to include all aspects of religious observance, practice, and belief unless an employer demonstrates that it is unable to reasonably accommodate a religious observance or practice without undue hardship (action requiring significant difficulty or expense) on the conduct of the employer's business (as under current law) after initiating and engaging in an affirmative and bona fide effort.

Sets forth the circumstances in which an accommodation by the employer shall not be deemed to be reasonable. Excludes, in certain circumstances, a defense that the accommodation would be in violation of a seniority system. Prohibits requiring payment of premium wages for work performed during hours to which premium wages would ordinarily be applicable if work is performed during those hours only to accommodate religious requirements of an employee.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 2071 Identical bill Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 1996
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 2
FROST, MARTIN
· Sep 28, 1996
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Sep 19, 1996
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Sep 19, 1996
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4117: Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 1996. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-4117/
MLA
"H.R. 4117: Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 1996." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-4117/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4117, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-4117/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4117: Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 1996](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-4117/)
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