§9920 Operational Rule

Summary

The government must treat religious groups the same as other private groups when it runs or funds programs under this chapter, as long as the program follows the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Federal, state, or local governments may not refuse or treat a group worse because it is religious. A religious group that gets program money keeps its religious identity and control over its beliefs and how it practices them. The government cannot force the group to change its internal leadership structure (except as allowed for the community services block grant in section 9910 of this title) or to take down religious art, symbols, or scripture. The group’s employment exemption under section 2000e–1 of this title still applies. Government funds given directly to a religious group cannot be spent on worship, religious teaching, or trying to convert people. Religious groups must follow the same accounting rules as other private groups and must keep government money in a separate account; only those government funds can be audited. If another organization is hired by the government to pick providers, that organization must follow these same rules.