On March 4, nine federal agencies published a 52-page joint release titled Partnerships With Faith-Based and Neighborhood Organizations (full text) in the Federal Register amending rules adopted by them during the Trump Administration. In a press release, Americans United summarizes the rule changes in part as follows:
The new regulations:
• Reinstate the requirement that people seeking services be informed of their religious freedom rights, which include that:
• They can’t be discriminated against because of their religion or because they are nonreligious.
• They can’t be required to pray or participate in religious activities.
• They can file a complaint if their rights are violated.
• Reinstate safeguards that ensure that people who obtain social services through vouchers are not forced to attend or participate in religious activities.
• Eliminate Trump-era provisions that were designed to allow social service providers to refuse to provide key services....
