0
FAITH in Small Business Act
2/14/2025, 1:04 PM
Summary of Bill HR 522
Specifically, the bill would require the SBA to provide equal access to programs and services for faith-based organizations that are seeking assistance or funding. This includes programs related to disaster relief, economic development, and other small business initiatives.
The bill emphasizes that faith-based organizations should not be excluded from participating in SBA programs simply because of their religious affiliation. It aims to protect the rights of these organizations to receive the same opportunities and benefits as other non-religious organizations. Overall, Bill 119 HR 522 seeks to promote fairness and equality for faith-based organizations in the realm of small business assistance and support. It highlights the importance of respecting religious freedom and ensuring that all organizations have the opportunity to thrive and succeed, regardless of their beliefs.
Congressional Summary of HR 522
Fair Assistance and Impartial Treatment of Help In Small Business Act
This bill implements a proposed rule by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that allows certain faith-based organizations to access business loan and disaster assistance programs.
The programs include the Intermediary Lending Program (ILP), Business Loan programs (7(a), microloan, and 504 programs), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan (MREIDL) program, and Immediate Disaster Assistance Program (IDAP).
Current SBA regulations generally prohibit access to these programs if an organization is principally engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling, or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs.
Recent Supreme Court opinions have found it unconstitutional to deny an otherwise qualified recipient access to a public benefit based solely on the organization's religious character (e.g., Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer, 582 U.S. 449 (2017)).
