In a press release yesterday the Justice Department announced that it has reached a settlement agreement (full text of proposed Consent Order) with Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania Township and its Sewage Authority in a RLUIPA lawsuit. The suit claims that defendants have burdened the religious exercise of Old Order Amish residents by requiring that they connect to the municipal sewage system and by barring privies on private property intended for permanent residences. According to the press release:
As part of the consent order, the Township and SUGASA will exempt certain Old Order Amish households from mandatory connection to the municipal sewage system, permit Old Order Amish residents to use privies on their private properties, and forgive any outstanding liens, fines, or other monetary penalties against Old Order Amish households for prior noncompliance with the two ordinances. The consent order also requires the Township and SUGASA to train its officials and employees on RLUIPA’s provisions, establish a procedure for receiving and resolving RLUIPA complaints, and provide reports to the United States.
The consent order must still be approved by the court.
