Do No Harm Act

The Do No Harm Act is a proposed federal bill that would amend the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). RFRA was written to protect religious practice from government burden, but individuals and businesses have since cited it to seek exemptions from anti-discrimination and health laws, as seen in cases like Hobby Lobby and Harris Funeral Homes. The Do No Harm Act would clarify that RFRA cannot override protections against discrimination, or deny access to healthcare, employment, or other services, when doing so would harm third parties. Supporters, including the ACLU and the Human Rights Campaign, describe it as keeping religious freedom a shield rather than a weapon. First introduced in Congress in 2016 and reintroduced in later sessions, it has not been enacted.