US Codex
Bill
Notes

To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that every military chaplain has the prerogative to close a prayer outside of a religious service according to the dictates of the chaplain’s own conscience.

H.R. 343 · 113th Congress · Jan 22, 2013 · Lineage

A BILL

Section 1 Protection of the religious freedom of military chaplains to close a prayer outside of a religious service according to the dictates of the chaplain’s conscience

(a)
United States Army— Section 3547 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(c) If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, a chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the dictates of the chaplain’s own conscience.”

(b)
United States Military Academy— Section 4337 of such title is amended—
(1)
by inserting “(a)” before “There”; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(b) If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, the Chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the dictates of the Chaplain’s conscience.”

(c)
United States Navy and Marine Corps— Section 6031 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(d) If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, a chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the dictates of the chaplain’s own conscience.”

(d)
United States Air Force— Section 8547 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(c) If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, a chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the dictates of the chaplain’s own conscience.”

(e)
United States Air Force Academy— Section 9337 of such title is amended—
(1)
by inserting “(a)” before “There”; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(b) If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, the Chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the dictates of the Chaplain’s conscience.”