2015 US Code
Title 42 - The Public Health and Welfare (Sections 1 - 18445)
Chapter 21C - Protection of Religious Exercise in Land Use and by Institutionalized Persons (Sections 2000cc - 2000cc-5)
Sec. 2000cc - Protection of land use as religious exercise

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Metadata
Publication TitleUnited States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CategoryBills and Statutes
CollectionUnited States Code
SuDoc Class NumberY 1.2/5:
Contained WithinTitle 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 21C - PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS EXERCISE IN LAND USE AND BY INSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS
Sec. 2000cc - Protection of land use as religious exercise
Containssection 2000cc
Date2015
Laws In Effect As Of DateJanuary 3, 2016
Positive LawNo
Dispositionstandard
Short Titles'Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000'".
Source CreditPub. L. 106-274, §2, Sept. 22, 2000, 114 Stat. 803.
Statutes at Large References114 Stat. 803
Public and Private LawsPublic Law 106-274

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42 U.S.C. § 2000cc (2015)
§2000cc. Protection of land use as religious exercise(a) Substantial burdens(1) General rule

No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation in a manner that imposes a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person, including a religious assembly or institution, unless the government demonstrates that imposition of the burden on that person, assembly, or institution—

(A) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and

(B) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

(2) Scope of application

This subsection applies in any case in which—

(A) the substantial burden is imposed in a program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability;

(B) the substantial burden affects, or removal of that substantial burden would affect, commerce with foreign nations, among the several States, or with Indian tribes, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability; or

(C) the substantial burden is imposed in the implementation of a land use regulation or system of land use regulations, under which a government makes, or has in place formal or informal procedures or practices that permit the government to make, individualized assessments of the proposed uses for the property involved.

(b) Discrimination and exclusion(1) Equal terms

No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation in a manner that treats a religious assembly or institution on less than equal terms with a nonreligious assembly or institution.

(2) Nondiscrimination

No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation that discriminates against any assembly or institution on the basis of religion or religious denomination.

(3) Exclusions and limits

No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation that—

(A) totally excludes religious assemblies from a jurisdiction; or

(B) unreasonably limits religious assemblies, institutions, or structures within a jurisdiction.

(Pub. L. 106–274, §2, Sept. 22, 2000, 114 Stat. 803.)

SHORT TITLE

Pub. L. 106–274, §1, Sept. 22, 2000, 114 Stat. 803, provided that: "This Act [enacting this chapter and amending sections 1988, 2000bb–2 and 2000bb–3 of this title] may be cited as the 'Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000' ".

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