I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3185 
To prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual 
orientation, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 23, 2015 
Mr. CICILLINE (for himself, Mr. POLIS, Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New 
York, Mr. POCAN, Mr. TAKANO, Ms. SINEMA, Mr. AGUILAR, Mr. 
ASHFORD, Ms. BASS, Mr. BECERRA, Mr. BERA, Mr. BEYER, Mr. BLU-
MENAUER, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Ms. 
BROWNLEY of California, Mrs. BUSTOS, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. 
CA´RDENAS, Mr. CARNEY, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. CARTWRIGHT, Ms. 
CASTOR of Florida, Mr. CASTRO of Texas, Ms. JUDY CHU of California, 
Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. COOPER, Mr. CON-
NOLLY, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. CUMMINGS, 
Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. DEFAZIO, 
Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. DELANEY, Ms. DELAURO, Ms. DELBENE, Mr. 
DESAULNIER, Mr. DEUTCH, Mrs. DINGELL, Ms. EDWARDS, Mr. ELLI-
SON, Mr. ENGEL, Ms. ESHOO, Ms. ESTY, Mr. FARR, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. 
FOSTER, Ms. FRANKEL of Florida, Ms. GABBARD, Mr. GALLEGO, Mr. 
GARAMENDI, Mr. GRAYSON, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. 
GUTIE´RREZ, Ms. HAHN, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. HECK of Washington, Mr. 
HIGGINS, Mr. HINOJOSA, Ms. NORTON, Mr. HONDA, Mr. HOYER, Mr. 
HUFFMAN, Mr. ISRAEL, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. JEFFRIES, Ms. KAPTUR, 
Mr. HIMES, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. KEATING, Ms. KELLY of Illi-
nois, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. KILMER, Ms. KUSTER, Mr. LAN-
GEVIN, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Ms. LEE, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. LEWIS, 
Mr. TED LIEU of California, Mr. LOEBSACK, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. 
LOWENTHAL, Mrs. LOWEY, Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New 
Mexico, Mr. BEN RAY LUJA´N of New Mexico, Mr. LYNCH, Mrs. CARO-
LYN B. MALONEY of New York, Ms. MATSUI, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. 
MCDERMOTT, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MCNERNEY, Mr. MEEKS, Ms. MENG, 
Mr. MOULTON, Mr. MURPHY of Florida, Mr. NADLER, Mrs. NAPOLI-
TANO, Mr. NEAL, Mr. NOLAN, Mr. NORCROSS, Mr. O’ROURKE, Mr. PAL-
LONE, Mr. PASCRELL, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. PETERS, Ms. PINGREE, Mr. 
PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. QUIGLEY, Miss RICE of New York, Ms. 
ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. RUIZ, Mr. RUSH, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Ms. LINDA 
T. SA´NCHEZ of California, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California, Mr. 
SARBANES, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. SCHRADER, Mr. SCOTT 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
of Virginia, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. SIRES, Ms. SLAUGHTER, 
Mr. SMITH of Washington, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. SWALWELL of California, 
Mr. TAKAI, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. TONKO, Mrs. TORRES, Ms. 
TSONGAS, Mr. VAN
HOLLEN, Mr. VARGAS, Mr. VEASEY, Ms. 
VELA´ZQUEZ, Mr. WALZ, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mrs. WATSON 
COLEMAN, Mr. WELCH, Ms. WILSON of Florida, Mr. YARMUTH, Mr. 
COHEN, Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mrs. KIRKPATRICK, 
Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, Mr. VELA, Ms. 
DUCKWORTH, Mr. DOGGETT, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, 
Ms. TITUS, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. PAYNE, Mrs. LAWRENCE, and Ms. SE-
WELL of Alabama) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on 
Education and the Workforce, Financial Services, Oversight and Govern-
ment Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender 
identity, and sexual orientation, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Equality Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Discrimination can occur on the basis of the 
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or preg-
nancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition of 
an individual, as well as because of sex-based stereo-
types. Each of these factors alone can serve as the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
basis for discrimination, and each is a form of sex 
discrimination. 
(2) A single instance of discrimination may 
have more than 1 basis. For example, discrimination 
against a married same-sex couple could be based on 
the sex stereotype that marriage should only be be-
tween heterosexual couples, the sexual orientation of 
the 2 individuals in the couple, or both. Discrimina-
tion against a pregnant lesbian could be based on 
her sex, her sexual orientation, her pregnancy, or on 
the basis of multiple factors. 
(3) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (re-
ferred to as ‘‘LGBT’’) people commonly experience 
discrimination in securing access to public accom-
modations—including restaurants, stores, places of 
or establishments that provide entertainment, and 
transportation. Forms of discrimination include the 
exclusion and denial of entry, unequal or unfair 
treatment, harassment, and violence. This discrimi-
nation prevents the full participation of LGBT peo-
ple in society and disrupts the free flow of com-
merce. 
(4) Women also face discrimination, in estab-
lishments such as stores and restaurants, and places 
or establishments that provide other goods or serv-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
ices, such as entertainment or transportation, in-
cluding sexual harassment, differential pricing, and 
denial of services because they are pregnant or 
breastfeeding. 
(5) Regular and ongoing discrimination against 
LGBT people, as well as women, in accessing public 
accommodations contributes to negative social and 
economic outcomes. 
(6) Both LGBT people and women face wide-
spread discrimination in employment and various 
services, including by entities that receive Federal fi-
nancial assistance. Such discrimination— 
(A) is particularly troubling and inappro-
priate for programs and services funded wholly 
or in part by the Federal Government; 
(B) undermines national progress toward 
equal treatment regardless of sex, sexual ori-
entation, or gender identity; and 
(C) is inconsistent with the constitutional 
principle of equal protection under the Four-
teenth Amendment of the Constitution of the 
United States. 
(7) Workers who are LGBT, or are perceived to 
be LGBT, have been subjected to a history and pat-
tern of persistent, widespread, and pervasive dis-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
crimination on the bases of sexual orientation and 
gender identity by private sector employers and Fed-
eral, State, and local government employers. 
(8) Numerous provisions of Federal law ex-
pressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, 
and Federal agencies and courts have correctly in-
terpreted these prohibitions on sex discrimination to 
include discrimination based on sexual orientation, 
gender identity, and sex stereotypes. In particular, 
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has 
explicitly interpreted sex discrimination to include 
sexual orientation and gender identity. 
(9) The absence of explicit prohibitions of dis-
crimination on the basis of sexual orientation and 
gender identity under Federal statutory law, as well 
as some conflicting case law on how broadly sex dis-
crimination provisions apply, has created uncertainty 
for employers and other entities covered by these 
laws. This lack of clear coverage also causes unnec-
essary hardships for LGBT people. 
(10) LGBT people often face discrimination 
when seeking to rent or purchase housing, as well as 
in every other aspect of obtaining and maintaining 
housing. LGBT people in same-sex relationships are 
often discriminated against when 2 names associated 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
with 1 gender appear on a housing application, and 
transgender people often encounter discrimination 
when credit checks or inquiries reveal a former 
name. 
(11) National surveys, including a study com-
missioned by the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, show that housing discrimination 
against LGBT people is very prevalent. For in-
stance, when same-sex couples inquire about housing 
that is available for rent, they are less likely to re-
ceive positive responses from landlords. According to 
other studies, transgender people have half the 
homeownership rate of non-transgender people and 
about 1 in 5 transgender people experience home-
lessness. 
(12) As a result of the absence of explicit prohi-
bitions against discrimination on the basis of sexual 
orientation and gender identity, credit applicants 
who are LGBT, or perceived to be LGBT, have un-
equal opportunities to establish credit. LGBT people 
can experience being denied a mortgage, credit card, 
student loan, or many other types of credit simply 
because of their sexual orientation or gender iden-
tity. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(13) Numerous studies demonstrate that LGBT 
people, especially transgender people and women, are 
economically disadvantaged and at a higher risk for 
poverty compared with other groups of people. 
(14) The right to an impartial jury of one’s 
peers and the reciprocal right to jury service are 
fundamental to the free and democratic system of 
justice in the United States and are based in the 
Bill of Rights. There is, however, an unfortunate 
and long-documented history in the United States of 
attorneys discriminating against LGBT individuals, 
or those perceived to be LGBT, in jury selection. 
Failure to bar peremptory challenges based on the 
actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender 
identity of an individual not only erodes a funda-
mental right, duty, and obligation of being a citizen 
of the United States, but also unfairly creates a sec-
ond class of citizenship for LGBT victims, witnesses, 
plaintiffs, and defendants. 
SEC. 3. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS. 
(a) PROHIBITION ON DISCRIMINATION OR SEGREGA-
TION IN PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS.—Section 201 of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a) is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘sex, sexual 
orientation, gender identity,’’ before ‘‘or national ori-
gin’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘sta-
dium’’ and all that follows and inserting ‘‘sta-
dium or other place of or establishment that 
provides exhibition, entertainment, recreation, 
exercise, amusement, gathering, or display;’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (4) as 
paragraph (6); and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the 
following: 
‘‘(4) any establishment that provides a good, 
service, or program, including a store, shopping cen-
ter, online retailer or service provider, salon, bank, 
gas station, food bank, service or care center, shel-
ter, travel agency, or funeral parlor, or establish-
ment that provides health care, accounting, or legal 
services; 
‘‘(5) any train service, bus service, car service, 
taxi service, airline service, station, depot, or other 
place of or establishment that provides transpor-
tation service; and’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
in subsection (a)(2), by inserting ‘‘, sexual orientation, 
gender identity,’’ before ‘‘or national origin’’. 
(c) CLASSIFICATION AND ASSIGNMENT.—Section 410 
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 2000c–9) is amended by inserting 
‘‘, sexual orientation, gender identity,’’ before ‘‘or national 
origin’’. 
SEC. 6. FEDERAL FUNDING. 
Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 
U.S.C. 2000d) is amended by inserting ‘‘sex, sexual ori-
entation, gender identity,’’ before ‘‘or national origin,’’. 
SEC. 7. EMPLOYMENT. 
(a) RULES
OF CONSTRUCTION.—Title VII of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 is amended by inserting after 
section 701 (42 U.S.C. 2000e) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 701A. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. 
‘‘Section 1106 shall apply to this title except that for 
purposes of that application, a reference in that section 
to an ‘unlawful practice’ shall be considered to be a ref-
erence to an ‘unlawful employment practice’.’’. 
(b) UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.—Section 
703 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e– 
2) is amended— 
(1) in the section header, by striking ‘‘SEX,’’ 
and inserting ‘‘SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER 
IDENTITY,’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(2) except in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘sex,’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘sex, sexual ori-
entation, gender identity,’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ‘‘enter-
prise,’’ and inserting ‘‘enterprise, if, in a situation in 
which sex is a bona fide occupational qualification, 
individuals are recognized as qualified in accordance 
with their gender identity,’’; and 
(4) in subsection (h), by striking ‘‘sex’’ the sec-
ond place it appears and inserting ‘‘sex, sexual ori-
entation, gender identity,’’. 
(c) OTHER UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.— 
Section 704(b) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
2000e–3(b)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘sex,’’ the first place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘sex, sexual orientation, gender iden-
tity,’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘employment.’’ and inserting 
‘‘employment, if, in a situation in which sex is a 
bona fide occupational qualification, individuals are 
recognized as qualified in accordance with their gen-
der identity.’’. 
(d) CLAIMS.—Section 706(g)(2)(A) of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 (2000e–5(g)(2)(A)) is amended by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
striking ‘‘sex,’’ and inserting ‘‘sex, sexual orientation, gen-
der identity,’’. 
(e) EMPLOYMENT BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.—Sec-
tion 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
2000e–16) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘sex,’’ and in-
serting ‘‘sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘sex’’ and in-
serting ‘‘sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,’’. 
(f) GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYEE
RIGHTS
ACT
OF 
1991.—The Government Employee Rights Act of 1991 
(42 U.S.C. 2000e–16a et seq.) is amended— 
(1) in section 301(b), by striking ‘‘sex,’’ and in-
serting ‘‘sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,’’; 
(2) in section 302(a)(1), by striking ‘‘sex,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,’’; 
and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 305. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION AND CLAIMS. 
‘‘Sections 1101(b), 1106, and 1107 of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 shall apply to this title except that 
for purposes of that application, a reference in that section 
1106 to ‘race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gen-
der identity, or national origin’ shall be considered to be 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
a reference to ‘race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, 
gender identity, national origin, age, or disability’.’’. 
(g) CONGRESSIONAL
ACCOUNTABILITY
ACT
OF 
1995.—The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 
U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) in section 201(a)(1) (2 U.S.C. 1311(a)(1)) 
by inserting ‘‘sexual orientation, gender identity,’’ 
before ‘‘or national origin,’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end of title II (42 U.S.C. 
1311 et seq.) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 208. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION AND CLAIMS. 
‘‘Sections 1101(b), 1106, and 1107 of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 shall apply to section 201 (and reme-
dial provisions of this Act related to section 201) except 
that for purposes of that application, a reference in that 
section 1106 to ‘race, color, religion, sex, sexual orienta-
tion, gender identity, or national origin’ shall be consid-
ered to be a reference to ‘race, color, religion, sex, sexual 
orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or dis-
ability’.’’. 
(h) CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 1978.—Chapter 
23 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 2301(b)(2), by striking ‘‘sex,’’ 
and inserting ‘‘sex, sexual orientation, gender iden-
tity,’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(2) in section 2302— 
(A) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting 
‘‘sexual orientation, gender identity,’’ before ‘‘or 
national origin,’’; and 
(B) in subsection (d)(1), by inserting ‘‘sex-
ual orientation, gender identity,’’ before ‘‘or na-
tional origin;’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 2307. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION AND CLAIMS. 
‘‘Sections 1101(b), 1106, and 1107 of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 shall apply to this chapter (and reme-
dial provisions of this title related to this chapter) except 
that for purposes of that application, a reference in that 
section 1106 to ‘race, color, religion, sex, sexual orienta-
tion, gender identity, or national origin’ shall be consid-
ered to be a reference to ‘race, color, religion, sex, sexual 
orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, a handi-
capping condition, marital status, or political affiliation’.’’. 
SEC. 8. INTERVENTION. 
Section 902 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 
U.S.C. 2000h–2) is amended by inserting ‘‘, sexual ori-
entation, gender identity,’’ before ‘‘or national origin,’’. 
SEC. 9. MISCELLANEOUS. 
Title XI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(1) by redesignating sections 1101 through 
1104 (42 U.S.C. 2000h et seq.) and sections 1105 
and 1106 (42 U.S.C. 2000h–5, 2000h–6) as sections 
1102 through 1105 and sections 1108 and 1109, re-
spectively; 
(2) by inserting after the title heading the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 1101. DEFINITIONS AND RULES. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In titles II, III, IV, VI, VII, and 
IX (referred to individually in sections 1106 and 1107 as 
a ‘covered title’): 
‘‘(1) RACE; COLOR; RELIGION; SEX; SEXUAL 
ORIENTATION; GENDER
IDENTITY; NATIONAL
ORI-
GIN.—The term ‘race’, ‘color’, ‘religion’, ‘sex’, ‘sex-
ual orientation’, ‘gender identity’, or ‘national ori-
gin’, used with respect to an individual, includes— 
‘‘(A) the race, color, religion, sex, sexual 
orientation, gender identity, or national origin, 
respectively, of another person with whom the 
individual is associated or has been associated; 
and 
‘‘(B) a perception or belief, even if inac-
curate, concerning the race, color, religion, sex, 
sexual orientation, gender identity, or national 
origin, respectively, of the individual. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) GENDER
IDENTITY.—The term ‘gender 
identity’ means the gender-related identity, appear-
ance, mannerisms, or other gender-related character-
istics of an individual, regardless of the individual’s 
designated sex at birth. 
‘‘(3) INCLUDING.—The term ‘including’ means 
including, but not limited to, consistent with the 
term’s standard meaning in Federal law. 
‘‘(4) SEX.—The term ‘sex’ includes— 
‘‘(A) a sex stereotype; 
‘‘(B) pregnancy, childbirth, or a related 
medical condition; and 
‘‘(C) sexual orientation or gender identity. 
‘‘(5) SEXUAL ORIENTATION.—The term ‘sexual 
orientation’ means homosexuality, heterosexuality, or 
bisexuality. 
‘‘(b) RULES.—In a covered title referred to in sub-
section (a)— 
‘‘(1) (with respect to sex) pregnancy, childbirth, 
or a related medical condition shall not receive less 
favorable treatment than other physical conditions; 
and 
‘‘(2) (with respect to gender identity) an indi-
vidual shall not be denied access to a shared facility, 
including a restroom, a locker room, and a dressing 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
room, that is in accordance with the individual’s 
gender identity.’’; and 
(3) by inserting after section 1105 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 1106. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. 
‘‘(a) SEX.—Nothing in section 1101 or the provisions 
of a covered title incorporating a term defined or a rule 
specified in that section shall be construed— 
‘‘(1) to limit the protection against an unlawful 
practice on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or a 
related medical condition provided by section 701(k); 
or 
‘‘(2) to limit the protection against an unlawful 
practice on the basis of sex available under any pro-
vision of Federal law other than that covered title, 
prohibiting a practice on the basis of sex. 
‘‘(b) CLAIMS AND REMEDIES NOT PRECLUDED.— 
Nothing in section 1101 or a covered title shall be con-
strued to limit the claims or remedies available to any indi-
vidual for an unlawful practice on the basis of race, color, 
religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or na-
tional origin including claims brought pursuant to section 
1979 or 1980 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1983, 
1985) or any other law, including a Federal law amended 
by the Equality Act, regulation, or policy. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(c) NO NEGATIVE INFERENCE.—Nothing in section 
1101 or a covered title shall be construed to support any 
inference that any Federal law prohibiting a practice on 
the basis of sex does not prohibit discrimination on the 
basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condi-
tion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a sex stereo-
type. 
‘‘SEC. 1107. CLAIMS. 
‘‘The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 
U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.) shall not provide a claim con-
cerning, or a defense to a claim under, a covered title, 
or provide a basis for challenging the application or en-
forcement of a covered title.’’. 
SEC. 10. HOUSING. 
(a) FAIR HOUSING ACT.—The Fair Housing Act (42 
U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) in section 802, by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(p) ‘Gender identity’, ‘sex’, and ‘sexual orientation’ 
have the meanings given those terms in section 1101(a) 
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 
‘‘(q) ‘Race’, ‘color’, ‘religion’, ‘sex’, ‘sexual orienta-
tion’, ‘gender identity’, ‘handicap’, ‘familial status’, or ‘na-
tional origin’, used with respect to an individual, in-
cludes— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(1) the race, color, religion, sex, sexual ori-
entation, gender identity, handicap, familial status, 
or national origin, respectively, of another person 
with whom the individual is associated or has been 
associated; and 
‘‘(2) a perception or belief, even if inaccurate, 
concerning the race, color, religion, sex, sexual ori-
entation, gender identity, handicap, familial status, 
or national origin, respectively, of the individual.’’; 
(2) in section 804, by inserting ‘‘sexual orienta-
tion, gender identity,’’ after ‘‘sex,’’ each place that 
term appears; 
(3) in section 805, by inserting ‘‘sexual orienta-
tion, gender identity,’’ after ‘‘sex,’’ each place that 
term appears; 
(4) in section 806, by inserting ‘‘sexual orienta-
tion, gender identity,’’ after ‘‘sex,’’; 
(5) in section 808(e)(6), by inserting ‘‘sexual 
orientation, gender identity,’’ after ‘‘sex,’’; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 821. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. 
‘‘Sections 1101(b) and 1106 of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1964 shall apply to this title and section 901, except 
that for purposes of that application, a reference in that 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
section 1101(b) or 1106 to a ‘covered title’ shall be consid-
ered a reference to ‘this title and section 901’. 
‘‘SEC. 822. CLAIMS. 
‘‘Section 1107 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 shall 
apply to this title and section 901, except that for pur-
poses of that application, a reference in that section 1107 
to a ‘covered title’ shall be considered a reference to ‘this 
title and section 901’.’’. 
(b) PREVENTION OF INTIMIDATION IN FAIR HOUS-
ING CASES.—Section 901 of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 3631) is amended by inserting ‘‘sexual orienta-
tion (as such term is defined in section 802 of this Act), 
gender identity (as such term is defined in section 802 
of this Act),’’ after ‘‘sex,’’ each place that term appears. 
SEC. 11. EQUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY. 
(a) 
PROHIBITED
DISCRIMINATION.—Section 
701(a)(1) of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. 
1691(a)(1)) is amended by inserting ‘‘sexual orientation, 
gender identity,’’ after ‘‘status,’’. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—Section 702 of the Equal Credit 
Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. 1691a) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as 
subsections (h) and (i), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the fol-
lowing: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(f) The terms ‘gender identity’, ‘sex’, and ‘sexual 
orientation’ have the meanings given those terms in sec-
tion 1101(a) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
2000e). 
‘‘(g) The term ‘race’, ‘color’, ‘religion’, ‘national ori-
gin’, ‘sex’, ‘sexual orientation’, ‘gender identity’, ‘marital 
status’, or ‘age’, used with respect to an individual, in-
cludes— 
‘‘(1) the race, color, religion, national origin, 
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital sta-
tus, or age, respectively, of another person with 
whom the individual is associated or has been associ-
ated; and 
‘‘(2) a perception or belief, even if inaccurate, 
concerning the race, color, religion, national origin, 
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital sta-
tus, or age, respectively, of the individual.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) Sections 1101(b) and 1106 of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964 shall apply to this title, except that for pur-
poses of that application— 
‘‘(1) a reference in those sections to a ‘covered 
title’ shall be considered a reference to ‘this title’; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) paragraph (1) of such section 1101(b) 
shall apply with respect to all aspects of a credit 
transaction.’’. 
(c) RELATION TO STATE LAWS.—Section 705(a) of 
the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. 1691d(a)) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘, sexual orientation, gender iden-
tity,’’ after ‘‘sex’’. 
(d) CIVIL LIABILITY.—Section 706 of the Equal 
Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. 1691e) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(l) Section 1107 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 
shall apply to this title, except that for purposes of that 
application, a reference in that section to a ‘covered title’ 
shall be considered a reference to ‘this title’.’’. 
SEC. 12. JURIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 121 of title 28, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 1862, by inserting ‘‘sexual ori-
entation, gender identity,’’ after ‘‘sex,’’; 
(2) in section 1867(e), in the second sentence, 
by inserting ‘‘sexual orientation, gender identity,’’ 
after ‘‘sex,’’; 
(3) in section 1869— 
(A) in subsection (j), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(B) in subsection (k), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(l) ‘gender identity’, ‘sex’, and ‘sexual orientation’ 
have the meanings given such terms under section 1101(a) 
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and 
‘‘(m) ‘race’, ‘color’, ‘religion’, ‘sex’, ‘sexual orienta-
tion’, ‘gender identity’, ‘economic status’, or ‘national ori-
gin’, used with respect to an individual, includes— 
‘‘(1) the race, color, religion, sex, sexual ori-
entation, gender identity, economic status, or na-
tional origin, respectively, of another person with 
whom the individual is associated or has been associ-
ated; and 
‘‘(2) a perception or belief, even if inaccurate, 
concerning the race, color, religion, sex, sexual ori-
entation, gender identity, economic status, or na-
tional origin, respectively, of the individual.’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 1879. Rules of construction and claims 
‘‘Sections 1101(b), 1106, and 1107 of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 shall apply to this chapter, except that 
for purposes of that application, a reference in those sec-
tions to a ‘covered title’ shall be considered a reference 
to ‘this chapter’.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT.— 
The table of sections for chapter 121 of title 28, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘1879. Rules of construction and claims.’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:21 Jul 27, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H3185.IH
H3185
smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS