Bill > S75

This bill, the Lifting Local Communities Act, aims to ensure equal treatment for religious organizations in the federal provision of social services programs, grantmaking, and contracting. Key provisions include: 1. Allowing religious organizations to apply for and receive federal financial assistance on the same basis as private non-religious organizations to provide services for social services programs. 2. Prohibiting discrimination against religious organizations in the selection of recipients for federal financial assistance based on their religious character, affiliation, or exercise. 3. Ensuring religious organizations retain their independence and can maintain their religious character, including in their name, mission, facilities, and personnel decisions. 4. Allowing covered beneficiaries with objections to the character or affiliation of a religious organization providing services to request a referral for alternative, reasonably accessible services. 5. Clarifying that religious organizations' existing exemptions, such as those under the Civil Rights Act, shall not be waived due to their participation in or receipt of funds from a federally funded social services program.