Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102
§2000bb–4 Establishment Clause Unaffected
Title 42 › CHAPTER 21B — RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION › § 2000bb–4
Summary
It does not change how the First Amendment's ban on creating or favoring a religion (the Establishment Clause) is applied. Allowing government funding, benefits, or exemptions that the Establishment Clause permits is not a violation, and "granting" means giving, not denying.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §2000bb–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 prohibiting laws respecting the 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. As used 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. 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.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 2000bb–4
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102