H.R. 9851

119 HR 9851 IH: PASTOR Act of 2026
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-07-22
 text/xml
 EN
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 9851  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.
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 .
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).
 .