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HR 644 115th Congress House Health Abortion Civil actions and liability Disability and health-based discrimination Government liability Government studies and investigations Health facilities and institutions Health personnel Health programs administration and funding Medical education Religion

Conscience Protection Act of 2017

Introduced: April 23, 2018 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 24, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 24, 2017
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Conscience Protection Act of 2017

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to codify the prohibition against the federal government and state and local governments that receive federal financial assistance for health-related activities penalizing or discriminating against a health care provider based on the provider's refusal to be involved in, or provide coverage for, abortion. Health care providers include health care professionals, health care facilities, social services providers, health care professional training programs, and health insurers.

The Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), must investigate complaints alleging discrimination based on an individual's religious belief, moral conviction, or refusal to be involved in an abortion.

DOJ or any entity adversely affected by such discrimination may obtain equitable or legal relief in a civil action. Administrative remedies do not need to be sought or exhausted prior to commencing an action or granting relief. Such an action may be brought against a governmental entity.
What's happening now January 24, 2017

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • HR 3354 Related bill Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018
  • HR 6470 Related bill Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019
  • S 301 Identical bill Conscience Protection Act of 2017
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 84
All 84 Republican 61
R
Cloud, Michael
Texas · Oct 23, 2018
Gianforte, Greg
· Sep 6, 2018
CULBERSON, JOHN
· Apr 23, 2018
 R
Newhouse, Dan
Washington · Apr 17, 2018
Byrne, Bradley
· Apr 11, 2018
 R
Crawford, Eric A. "Rick"
Arkansas · Mar 14, 2018
 R
DesJarlais, Scott
Tennessee · Mar 14, 2018
Handel, Karen
· Mar 14, 2018
 R
Smith, Adrian
Nebraska · Mar 7, 2018
 R
Williams, Roger
Texas · Mar 7, 2018
Duffy, Sean
· Mar 5, 2018
 R
Gosar, Paul A.
Arizona · Dec 6, 2017
 R
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Texas · Nov 7, 2017
 R
Scott, Austin
Georgia · Sep 27, 2017
 R
Norman, Ralph
South Carolina · Sep 26, 2017
 R
Kustoff, David
Tennessee · Sep 21, 2017
 R
Joyce, David P.
Ohio · Sep 18, 2017
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Sep 18, 2017
 R
Davidson, Warren
Ohio · Sep 12, 2017
Labrador, Raul
· Sep 12, 2017
 R
Bergman, Jack
Michigan · Sep 6, 2017
Abraham, Ralph
· Sep 1, 2017
Collins, Doug
· Sep 1, 2017
Jenkins, Evan
· Sep 1, 2017
Ratcliffe, John
· Sep 1, 2017
 R
Massie, Thomas
Kentucky · Jul 20, 2017
Bishop, Mike
· Apr 25, 2017
 R
Bacon, Don
Nebraska · Apr 4, 2017
 R
LaHood, Darin
Illinois · Apr 4, 2017
 R
Palmer, Gary J.
Alabama · Apr 4, 2017
 R
Arrington, Jodey C.
Texas · Mar 23, 2017
Walker, Mark
· Mar 23, 2017
Young, David
· Mar 22, 2017
 R
Smucker, Lloyd
Pennsylvania · Mar 15, 2017
 R
McClintock, Tom
California · Mar 9, 2017
 R
Wittman, Robert J.
Virginia · Mar 9, 2017
 R
Grothman, Glenn
Wisconsin · Feb 28, 2017
 R
Higgins, Clay
Louisiana · Feb 28, 2017
 R
Marshall, Roger
Kansas · Feb 15, 2017
 R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · Feb 15, 2017
Amash, Justin
· Jan 31, 2017
 R
Emmer, Tom
Minnesota · Jan 31, 2017
 R
Griffith, H. Morgan
Virginia · Jan 31, 2017
 R
Jordan, Jim
Ohio · Jan 31, 2017
Love, Mia
· Jan 31, 2017
Murphy, Tim
· Jan 31, 2017
 R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Jan 24, 2017
 R
Allen, Rick W.
Georgia · Jan 24, 2017
 R
Babin, Brian
Texas · Jan 24, 2017
 R
Banks, Jim
Indiana · Jan 24, 2017
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Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 644: Conscience Protection Act of 2017. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-644/
MLA
"H.R. 644: Conscience Protection Act of 2017." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-644/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 644, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-644/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 644: Conscience Protection Act of 2017](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-644/)
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