Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§2000cc–4 Establishment Clause unaffected

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 21C— - PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS EXERCISE IN LAND USE AND BY INSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS › § 2000cc–4

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Protects the Establishment Clause (the First Amendment rule against setting up religion). Providing government funds, benefits, or exemptions when the Clause allows it is permitted, and "granting" does not include denying them.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §2000cc–4

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect, interpret, or in any way address that portion of the first amendment to the Constitution prohibiting laws respecting an establishment of religion (referred to in this section as the “Establishment Clause”). Granting government funding, benefits, or exemptions, to the extent permissible under the Establishment Clause, shall not constitute a violation of this chapter. In this section, the term “granting”, used with respect to government funding, benefits, or exemptions, does not include the denial of government funding, benefits, or exemptions.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 106–274, Sept. 22, 2000, 114 Stat. 803, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 2000cc of this title and Tables.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 2000cc–4

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73