Protection of religious exercise of institutionalized persons
About This Law
/us/usc/t42/s2000cc–1
Title
42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Chapter
CH21C
Release
119-84
Release Date
2026-04-17
Section Text
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(a) General ruleNo government shall impose a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person residing in or confined to an institution, as defined in section 1997 of this title, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless the government demonstrates that imposition of the burden on that person—(1) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and
(2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.
(b) Scope of applicationThis section applies in any case in which—(1) the substantial burden is imposed in a program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance; or
(2) the substantial burden affects, or removal of that substantial burden would affect, commerce with foreign nations, among the several States, or with Indian tribes.
(Pub. L. 106–274, § 3, Sept. 22, 2000, 114 Stat. 804.)
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