H.R. 644: Conscience Protection Act of 2017

115th Congress · introduced 2017-01-24 · Health · Latest: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2017-01-24 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Black, Diane [R-TN-6] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Conscience Protection Act of 2017

Plain summary

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.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Conscience Protection Act of 2017

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Black, Diane [R-TN-6] · 140 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Trent Kelly (R-MS), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Jim Banks (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John R. Moolenaar (R-MI), Robert E. Latta (R-OH), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA), Mike Johnson (R-LA), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Brian Babin (R-TX), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Steve Scalise (R-LA), Rick W. Allen (R-GA), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL), Sam Graves (R-MO), Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann (R-TN), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL) and 80 more.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-115hr644.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/115/hr>

Record fed-us-cong115-hr644 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115