Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9851 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 9851

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require providers of
             services to provide patients access to clergy.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 22, 2026

  Mr. Flood introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy
    and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require providers of
             services to provide patients access to clergy.

    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 ``Protecting Access to Spiritual
Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026'' or the ``PASTOR Act of
2026''.

SEC. 2. REQUIRING PROVIDERS OF SERVICES TO PROVIDE PATIENTS ACCESS TO
              CLERGY.

    Section 1866(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395cc(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (X), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (Y), by striking the period and
        inserting ``, and''; and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (Y) the following new
        subparagraph:
            ``(Z) beginning January 1, 2028, upon request of an
        individual receiving items and services from such provider and
        notwithstanding any waiver under section 1135, to allow a
        member of clergy designated by such individual access to such
        individual, provided that such clergy member adheres to such
        safety measures and other protocols as may be specified by the
        Secretary (in consultation with providers of services, States,
        and religious organizations).''.
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