§ 2000cc–1 - Protection of religious exercise of institutionalized persons

CHAPTER 21C— PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS EXERCISE IN LAND USE AND BY INSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS

(a) No government shall impose a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person residing in or confined to an institution, as defined in section 1997 of this title, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless the government demonstrates that imposition of the burden on that person—

(a)(1) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and

(a)(2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

(b) This section applies in any case in which—

(b)(1) the substantial burden is imposed in a program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance; or

(b)(2) the substantial burden affects, or removal of that substantial burden would affect, commerce with foreign nations, among the several States, or with Indian tribes.