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S 869 105th Congress Senate Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Administrative procedure Administrative remedies Armed Forces and National Security Arts, Culture, Religion Civil rights enforcement Congress Congressional agencies Congressional employees Damages Disciplining of employees Discrimination in employment Employee rights Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Federal employees Federal libraries Fines (Penalties) Gay military personnel Gay rights Government Operations and Politics

Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1997

Introduced: June 10, 1997 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) 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
Oct 23, 1997
Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-279.
Jun 10, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Jun 10, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5457-5458)
Jun 10, 1997
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1997 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities, including an employing authority or office to which specified provisions of the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991 or the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 apply. Prohibits related retaliation and coercion.

Declares that: (1) this Act does not apply to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's partner; and (2) a disparate impact does not establish a prima facie violation of this Act. Prohibits: (1) quotas and preferential treatment; and (2) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from entering into a consent decree that includes a quota or preferential treatment. Declares that this Act does not apply to: (1) religious organizations (except regarding employment in a position the duties of which pertain solely to activities of the organization that generate unrelated business income subject to taxation under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions); (2) the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Provides for enforcement. Disallows State immunity. Makes the United States or a State liable for all remedies (except punitive damages, with compensatory damages available to the extent specified in certain existing provisions of law) to the same extent as under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Allows recovery of attorney's fees. Requires posting notices for employees and applicants.

What's happening now October 23, 1997

Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-279.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 869: Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-869/
MLA
"S. 869: Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-869/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 869, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-869/.
Markdown link
[S. 869: Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-869/)
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