Bill Summary
The **Customer Non-Discrimination Act** is proposed legislation aimed at expanding protections against discrimination in public accommodations based on sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. It amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to explicitly prohibit such discrimination in various establishments, including stores, online services, transportation, and healthcare facilities.
Key provisions include:
1. **Expanded Definitions**: The Act defines terms such as "sex," "gender identity," and "sexual orientation," clarifying that these categories include related characteristics and perceptions, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
2. **Prohibition of Discrimination**: It prohibits discrimination and segregation in public accommodations, mandating equal access regardless of an individual's sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. This includes access to shared facilities like restrooms and locker rooms in alignment with one's gender identity.
3. **Preservation of Claims**: The Act ensures that individuals retain the right to pursue claims for discrimination based on other protected categories, reinforcing that existing rights under federal law remain intact.
4. **Religious Freedom Considerations**: It specifies that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act does not provide a defense against claims made under this Act, thereby preventing the use of religious beliefs as a justification for discrimination.
Overall, the Customer Non-Discrimination Act seeks to create a more inclusive society by ensuring that all individuals can access public accommodations without facing discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Possible Impacts
The Customer Non-Discrimination Act, as outlined in the provided legislation, could affect people in various ways. Here are three specific examples:
1. **Increased Access to Services**: The legislation would prohibit discrimination in public accommodations based on sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. This means that individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ would have the legal right to access services, such as restaurants, hotels, and healthcare facilities, without fear of being denied service or treated unfairly. For instance, a transgender person would be able to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity without facing discrimination, ensuring they can participate fully in public life.
2. **Legal Protections Against Discrimination**: By amending existing civil rights laws, the act would provide a stronger legal framework for individuals to challenge discriminatory practices. If someone experiences discrimination in a public space because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, they would have the right to file a complaint or lawsuit. This could lead to greater accountability for businesses and institutions, thus promoting a more inclusive environment. For example, an individual who is denied service in a store due to their sexual orientation could seek legal remedies under the act.
3. **Cultural Shift and Awareness**: The enactment of this legislation could foster a cultural shift towards greater acceptance and understanding of diverse identities in society. By making discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation illegal, it encourages businesses and public establishments to adopt more inclusive policies and practices. This can lead to broader societal changes where acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals becomes the norm, reducing stigma and educating the public about the importance of equality. For instance, training programs might be implemented in workplaces to help staff understand and respect the rights of all customers, enhancing overall community relations.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7005 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7005
To prohibit discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of
sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 9, 2026
Mrs. Watson Coleman (for herself, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Crockett,
Ms. Norton, Mr. Peters, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Johnson of Georgia,
Mr. Carson, Mr. Thanedar, Mr. Takano, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Ms.
Schakowsky, Ms. Jayapal, and Mr. Carter of Louisiana) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To prohibit discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of
sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Customer Non-Discrimination Act''.
SEC. 2. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS.
(a) Prohibition on Discrimination or Segregation in Public
Accommodations.--Section 201 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.
2000a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``sex (including sexual
orientation and gender identity),'' before ``or national
origin''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``stadium'' and
all that follows and inserting ``stadium 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 center, online retailer or
service provider, salon, bank, gas station, food bank, service
or care center, shelter, travel agency, or funeral parlor, or
establishment 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 transportation service; and''.
(b) Prohibition on Discrimination or Segregation Under Law.--
Section 202 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 2000a-1) is amended by inserting
``sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity),'' before ``or
national origin''.
(c) Definitions and Rules of Construction.--Title II of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 208. DEFINITIONS AND RULES.
``(a) Definitions.--
``(1) Race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation;
gender identity; national origin.--The term `race', `color',
`religion', `sex (including sexual orientation and gender
identity)', or `national origin', used with respect to an
individual, includes--
``(A) the race, color, religion, sex (including
sexual orientation and 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 inaccurate,
concerning the race, color, religion, sex (including
sexual orientation and gender identity), or national
origin, respectively, of the individual.
``(2) Gender identity.--The term `gender identity' means
the gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or other
gender-related characteristics 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;
``(C) sexual orientation or gender identity; and
``(D) sex characteristics, including intersex
traits.
``(5) Sexual orientation.--The term `sexual orientation'
means homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.
``(b) Rules.--In this title--
``(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 individual shall
not be denied access to a shared facility, including a
restroom, a locker room, and a dressing room, that is in
accordance with the individual's gender identity.
``SEC. 209. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
``(a) Claims and Remedies Not Precluded.--Nothing in this title
shall be construed to limit the claims or remedies available to any
individual for an unlawful practice on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), or
national 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 the Federal law amended by the Customer Non-Discrimination
Act, regulation, or policy.
``(b) No Negative Inference.--Nothing in this 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 condition, sexual
orientation, gender identity, or a sex stereotype.
``(c) Scope of an Establishment.--A reference in this title to an
establishment--
``(1) shall be construed to include an individual whose
operations affect commerce and who is a provider of a good,
service, or program; and
``(2) shall not be construed to be limited to a physical
facility or place.
``SEC. 210. CLAIMS.
``The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb
et seq.) shall not provide a claim concerning, or a defense to a claim
under this title or provide a basis for challenging the application or
enforcement of this title.''.
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