http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/lauretta-brown/do-no-harm-act-would-amend-rfra-prevent-discrimination-forbid-religious(CNSNews.com) ? Reps. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.) introduced the Do No Harm Act Wednesday, which would amend the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to specify that religious exceptions should not apply to ?protections against discrimination or the promotion of equal opportunity? and ?access to, information about, referrals for, provision of, or coverage for, any health care item or service.?
The legislation is intended to ?clarify that no one can seek religious exemption from laws guaranteeing fundamental civil and legal rights.?
The bill emphasizes that RFRA should not be interpreted to ?authorize an exemption from generally applicable law that imposes the religious views, habits, or practices of one party upon another? or authorize ?an exemption from generally applicable law that imposes meaningful harm, including dignitary harm, on a third party.?
Kennedy claimed in announcing the bill that ?the Religious Freedom Restoration Act has become a vehicle for those seeking to impose their beliefs on others or claim that the tenants of their faith justify discrimination.?
?The Do No Harm Act will restore the balance between our right to religious freedom and our promise of equal protection under law,? he argued.
