WEARING OF RELIGIOUS APPAREL BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHILE IN UNIFORM

SEC. 508. WEARING OF RELIGIOUS APPAREL BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHILE IN UNIFORM (a) In General.—Chapter 45 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating section 774 as section 775; and (2) by inserting after section 773 the following new section 774: 101 STAT. 1087 “§ 774. Religious apparel: wearing while in uniform “(a) General Rule.—Except as provided under subsection (b), a member of the armed forces may wear an item of religious apparel while wearing the uniform of the member’s armed force. “(b) Exceptions.—The Secretary concerned may prohibit the wearing of an item of religious apparel— “(1) in circumstances with respect to which the Secretary determines that the wearing of the item would interfere with the performance of the member’s military duties; or “(2) if the Secretary determines, under regulations under subsection (c), that the item of apparel is not neat and conservative. “(c) Regulations.—The Secretary concerned shall prescribe regulations concerning the wearing of religious apparel by members of the armed forces under the Secretary’s jurisdiction while the members are wearing the uniform. Such regulations shall be consistent with subsections (a) and (b). “(d) Religious Apparel Defined.—In this section, the term ‘religious apparel’ means apparel the wearing of which is part of the observance of the religious faith practiced by the member.” (b) Clerical Amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by striking out the item relating to section 774 and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “774. Religious apparel: wearing while in uniform. “775. Applicability of chapter.”. (c) Regulations.—The Secretary concerned shall prescribe the regulations required by section 774(c) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), not later than the end of the 120-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.