Lifting Local Communities Act

## Summary The Lifting Local Communities Act (S. 2908) aims to ensure religious organizations can participate equally in federal social services programs, grants, and contracts without compromising their religious identity. The bill prohibits discrimination against religious groups in the awarding of federal funds, requiring that they be treated the same as nonreligious organizations. It also protects their right to maintain religious symbols, terms, and hiring practices aligned with their beliefs. Beneficiaries of federally funded services cannot be excluded or treated differently based on their religion, but the bill allows religious organizations to decline modifying program components to accommodate individual objections. If a beneficiary objects to a religious organization’s character or affiliation, the government must provide a referral to an alternative service of similar value. The bill preempts conflicting state or local laws and grants religious organizations a legal right to sue if their rights under the Act are violated. ## Key Points - Equal Eligibility: Religious organizations can apply for federal grants, contracts, or assistance on the same terms as nonreligious groups, with no extra requirements or restrictions tied to their religious identity. - Retain Religious Identity: Organizations may keep religious symbols, names, and mission statements, and hire or fire employees based on adherence to their religious beliefs. - No Beneficiary Discrimination: While religious orgs can’t exclude individuals from services due to their religion, they aren’t obligated to alter programs to accommodate objections to their religious practices. - Federal Preemption: State or local laws that conflict with the bill’s protections for religious organizations cannot block their participation in federal programs. - Legal Protections: Religious groups have a private right to sue for violations of the Act and may recover attorney’s fees. ## Impact Areas - Religious Organizations: Primary beneficiaries, enabling expanded access to federal funding while preserving their religious autonomy. - Federal/State Governments: Agencies administering social services must revise policies to ensure neutrality toward religion, potentially increasing collaboration with faith-based groups. - Social Service Recipients: Individuals in need gain access to more service providers but may face challenges if they object to religious aspects of a program, requiring alternative options. - Legal Landscape: Could spark debates over the separation of church and state, with potential lawsuits testing the bill’s compliance with constitutional principles like the Establishment Clause. - Program Diversity: Expands the pool of eligible service providers, possibly increasing competition and innovation in social services delivery. *Technical terms explained*: - Pass-through entity: A state or local agency that receives federal funds and redistributes them to other organizations. - Religious exercise: Activities expressing religious beliefs, protected under laws like the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. - Federal preemption: Federal law overrides conflicting state or local laws.