S. 2869 - Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000
(Hatch (R) Utah and 7 cosponsors)
The Administration strongly supports S. 2869, sponsored by Senators Hatch
and Kennedy, which would provide important protections for religious
exercise in America. This bill would, in certain cases, forbid State and
local governments from imposing a substantial burden on the exercise of
religion unless they could demonstrate that imposition of such a burden is
the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental
interest. This bill would protect the exercise of religion in two
situations: (1) where State and local governments seek to impose or
implement a zoning or landmark law in a manner that imposes a substantial
burden on religious exercise; and (2) where State and local governments
seek to impose a substantial burden on the religious exercise of persons
residing in or confined to certain institutions.
