Purposes

The purposes of this Act are the following: (1) To enable assistance to be provided to individuals and families in need in the most effective manner. (2) To prohibit discrimination against religious organizations in receipt and administration of Federal financial assistance, including the provision of that assistance through federally funded social service programs. (3) To ensure that religious organizations can apply and compete for Federal financial assistance on a level playing field with nonreligious organizations. (4) To provide certainty for religious organizations that receipt of Federal financial assistance will not obstruct or hinder their ability to organize and operate in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs. (5) To strengthen the social service capacity of the United States by facilitating the entry of new, and the expansion of existing, efforts by religious organizations in the administration and provision of Federal financial assistance. (6) To protect the religious freedom of, and better serve, individuals and families in need, including by expanding their ability to choose to receive federally funded social services from religious organizations.