119th (2025–2027)
S. 5255
The Military Chaplains Modernization Act of 2026 updates military chaplaincy regulations across the Army, Navy, and Air Force by establishing clear duties, protections, and leadership structures for chaplains. The legislation defines chaplains' primary role as advising commanders on religious practices, spiritual readiness, and accommodating free exercise of religion for service members, their families, and authorized personnel, including in combat environments. Chaplains gain explicit protections allowing them to conduct religious duties according to their sincerely held beliefs and their religious organization's practices without censorship, retaliation, or adverse personnel actions such as denial of promotion or disciplinary letters. The bill makes violations of these protections prosecutable under military law and requires the President to establish formal regulations within one year, including updates to the Manual for Courts-Martial. The legislation also elevates chaplain corps leadership by establishing deputy chief positions in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with these deputies serving as principal advisors to reserve components and the Space Force. The bill contains no new funding mechanisms or authorization amounts, instead amending existing military law to strengthen chaplains' roles in supporting religious liberty and accommodation in the armed forces.