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H.R. 3828 112th Congress House

Military Religious Freedom Protection Act

Official title: To amend title 10, United States Code, to require that implementation of the repeal of the former Department of Defense policy concerning homosexual behavior i… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend title 10, United States Code, to require that implementation of the repeal of the former Department of Defense policy concerning homosexual behavior in the Armed Forces not infringe upon the free exercise of religion by and the rights of conscience of members of the Armed Forces, including chaplains, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 16, 2012 See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security Administrative law and regulatory proceduresDepartment of DefenseEmployment discrimination and employee rightsMarriage and family status
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Military facilities and propertyMilitary personnel and dependentsReligionSex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
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This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) 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
Feb 23, 2012
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Jan 25, 2012
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Jan 25, 2012
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 23, 2012

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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

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

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

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

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 3526 Military Religious Freedom Act of 2012
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 32
All 32 Republican 10
R
Harris, Andy
Maryland · Jul 26, 2012
Black, Diane
· May 8, 2012
 R
Scott, Tim
South Carolina · Apr 26, 2012
Noem, Kristi
· Apr 25, 2012
 R
Wittman, Robert J.
Virginia · Apr 25, 2012
 R
Bilirakis, Gus M.
Florida · Apr 16, 2012
Fleming, John
· Mar 28, 2012
MANZULLO, DONALD
· Mar 28, 2012
BACHUS, SPENCER
· Mar 22, 2012
GOODLATTE, ROBERT
· Mar 22, 2012
Franks, Trent
· Feb 15, 2012
WOLF, FRANK
· Feb 15, 2012
Bishop, Rob
· Feb 14, 2012
Palazzo, Steven
· Feb 14, 2012
Forbes, J.
· Feb 6, 2012
Pearce, Stevan
· Feb 6, 2012
Boustany, Charles
· Feb 3, 2012
Gingrey, Phil
· Feb 1, 2012
Neugebauer, Randy
· Feb 1, 2012
 R
Stutzman, Marlin A.
Indiana · Feb 1, 2012
 R
Walberg, Tim
Michigan · Feb 1, 2012
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Feb 1, 2012
BURTON, DAN
· Jan 31, 2012
 R
Huizenga, Bill
Michigan · Jan 31, 2012
 R
Lankford, James
Oklahoma · Jan 31, 2012
Marchant, Kenny
· Jan 31, 2012
PITTS, JOSEPH
· Jan 31, 2012
AKIN, W.
· Jan 25, 2012
Hultgren, Randy
· Jan 25, 2012
JONES, WALTER
· Jan 25, 2012
King, Steve
· Jan 25, 2012
 R
Latta, Robert E.
Ohio · Jan 25, 2012
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3828: Military Religious Freedom Protection Act. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3828/
MLA
"H.R. 3828: Military Religious Freedom Protection Act." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3828/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3828, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3828/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3828: Military Religious Freedom Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3828/)
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