WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today joined a group of their colleagues in introducing the Do Not Harm Act, a piece of legislation that would amend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to ensure the law can no longer be invoked to threaten fundamental civil and legal rights. Since its inception, RFRA has been used to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals, women and children.

“No one in America in 2019 should face any sort of discrimination,” said Sen. Menendez. “We must protect the civil rights of every single American of every race, sexual orientation and gender. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to introduce this vital piece of legislation that will protect against discrimination and harm.”

In 1993, Congress passed the RFRA in response to a Supreme Court case undermining the rights of religious minorities. But since its passage, 21 states have passed state RFRAs and the laws have been used to defend employment discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, deny health care coverage for employees, claim exemptions to civil rights law, and complicate justice in child labor and abuse cases.

The Do No Harm Act would prevent the RFRA law from being used to deny:

  • Protection against discrimination laws or the promotion of equal opportunity, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other laws;
  • Workplace protections or protections against child abuse;
  • Healthcare access, information, referrals, provisions, coverage or services to which persons are otherwise legally entitled;
  • Services that the government has contracted to be provided to beneficiaries through a government contract, grant, or cooperative agreement; and
  • Accommodations or other benefits and services provided by the government.

In addition to Sens. Menendez and Booker, the bill is also co-sponsored by Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The Do No Harm Act is supported by a broad coalition of LGBTQ, civil rights, women’s rights and faith groups.