Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110
§2000bb–3 Applicability
Title 42 › CHAPTER 21B — RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION › § 2000bb–3
Summary
All federal laws and the way they are carried out are covered, whether made before or after November 16, 1993. Laws made after that date must follow this chapter unless they say they do not, and it does not let any government burden religious beliefs.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §2000bb–3
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In general
This chapter applies to all Federal law, and the implementation of that law, whether statutory or otherwise, and whether adopted before or after November 16, 1993.
(b)Rule of construction
Federal statutory law adopted after November 16, 1993, is subject to this chapter unless such law explicitly excludes such application by reference to this chapter.
(c)Religious belief unaffected
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize any government to burden any religious belief.
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. 103–141, Nov. 16, 1993, 107 Stat. 1488, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 2000bb of this title and Tables.
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–274 struck out “and State” after “Federal”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 2000bb–3
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110