AJC Hails Federal Religious Liberty Bill

American Jewish Committee
Friday, 14 July 2000

The American Jewish Committee is hailing the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), introduced yesterday in both houses of Congress (S.2869 and H.R.4862).

"This legislation is an important step in defending the precious religious freedoms of all Americans," said Richard T. Foltin, AJC's Legislative Director and Counsel. "It will protect religious groups from discriminatory land use laws that encroach on the free exercise of their faiths, and secure the religious liberties of institutionalized persons."

Unjustly restrictive local zoning policies frequently prevent the establishment of religious assemblies and houses of worship in residential areas or otherwise make it impossible for religious groups to practice their faiths. RLUIPA will alleviate this problem by requiring that land use practices that have such an impact on the use of property for religious observance serve a compelling state interest.

The bill also would protect the religious free exercise rights of persons in state hospitals, nursing homes, group homes and prisons, as long as accommodation of those religious practices does not undermine the security or order of the institution.

"AJC, together with over 60 organizations representing almost every major faith group in America, supports this balanced, bipartisan bill that will protect religious liberty and withstand judicial scrutiny," Mr. Foltin said.

RLUIPA is the culmination of months of negotiations across party lines as well as among groups that had disagreed about various aspects of the earlier, broader Religious Liberty Protection Act. The new bill is strongly supported by a broad coalition of more than 60 religious and civil rights groups, ranging from the American Civil Liberties Union to the Christian Legal Society, as well as the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org