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International Human Rights Defense Act of 2021

Introduced: February 24, 2021 Introduced by: Markey, Edward J. Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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
Feb 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Feb 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

International Human Rights Defense Act of 2021

This bill establishes in the Department of State a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex) Peoples who shall serve as the principal State Department advisor regarding human rights for LGBTQI people and represent the United States in diplomatic matters relevant to the human rights of LGBTQI people.

The special envoy shall periodically provide Congress with a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI people. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development may provide assistance to prevent and respond to such activities against LGBTQI people.

The bill also requires that annual country reports on human rights practices include information on criminalization, discrimination, and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

What's happening now February 24, 2021

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 33
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 424: International Human Rights Defense Act of 2021. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-424/
MLA
"S. 424: International Human Rights Defense Act of 2021." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-424/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 424, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-424/.
Markdown link
[S. 424: International Human Rights Defense Act of 2021](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-424/)
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