Religious discrimination in land zoning decisions is one focus of a proposed law that has attracted the support of a diverse array of civil rights and religious organizations in the United States, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Council on Islamic Affairs, the Anti-defamation League, the Baptist Joint Committee and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The Religious Land Use and Institutional Persons Act of 2000 (RLUPIA) was introduced into Congress on July 13, replacing the broader Religious Liberty Protection Act that passed the House of Representatives in 1999 but failed to move in the Senate. (See ANN report December 21, 1999.)  The bill is intended to address increasing conflicts between religious organizations and local land zoning boards, which have the ability to impact everything from home bible studies, church building and expansion, and church-based ministries to the homeless. The proposed law would prevent zoning laws from discriminating against churches and religious meetings unless there is “a compelling government interest” in doing so.

RLUPIA is also intended to strengthen the legal position of “institutionalized” people such as prison inmates and patients in psychiatric hospitals. This category of people, say the bill’s supporters, are especially vulnerable to situations where they are unable to practice their religious beliefs, such as keeping special dietary requirements or Sabbaths. If passed, the law would make is easier for prison inmates, whose rights are being abridged, to pursue a legal remedy.

The proposed law has attracted bipartisan support in both chambers-among its principal sponsors in the Senate are Democrat Edward Kennedy and Republican Orrin Hatch.