41-3751. Contracts for goods and services; religious organizations; definitions

A. Notwithstanding any other law or executive order, and in accordance with this section, all public bodies shall contract for goods and services provided pursuant to title 8, 36 or 46 or title 31, chapter 2, article 6 without discrimination against religious organizations, including discrimination because of their religious beliefs or exercise of religion and shall provide beneficiaries of assistance under the programs established by law with certificates, vouchers or other forms of disbursement that are redeemable with these organizations that are awarded a contract. The public bodies may use any state, federal, local or other monies available for these purposes.

B. The public bodies shall allow contracts with religious organizations to provide goods and services provided pursuant to title 8, 36 or 46 or title 31, chapter 2, article 6 and to accept certificates, vouchers or other forms of disbursement under any program established on the same basis as any other nongovernmental provider without impairing the religious character of these organizations, and without diminishing the religious freedom of beneficiaries of assistance funded under these programs. The programs shall be implemented consistent with the first amendment of the United States Constitution. The public bodies shall not discriminate against an organization that is or applies to be a contractor to provide assistance or that accepts certificates, vouchers or other forms of disbursement on the basis that the organization has a religious character.

C. A religious organization with a contract described in this section shall retain its independence from federal, state and local governments, including the religious organization's control over the definition, development, practice and expression of its religious beliefs. Public bodies shall not require a religious organization to alter its form of internal governance or to remove religious art, icons, scripture or other symbols in order to be eligible to contract to provide assistance or to accept certificates, vouchers or other forms of disbursement funded under any program or public contract.

D. If a person who applies for or receives goods, services or disbursements objects to the religious character of the organization or institution from which the person receives or would receive assistance funded under any program, the public body shall provide the person, within a reasonable period of time after the date of the objection, with assistance from an alternative provider that is accessible to the person if an alternative provider is available and the value of which is not less than the value of assistance that the person would have received from the religious organization. Organizations shall provide notice to people receiving assistance of the right to object pursuant to this subsection.

E. A religious organization's exemption provided under section 702 of the civil rights act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352; 78 Stat. 255; 42 United States Code section 2000e-1a) regarding employment practices is not affected by its participation in or receipt of monies from programs described in this section. Nothing in this section allows religious organizations to discriminate in employment practices on the basis of race, age, color, sex or national origin.

F. Except as otherwise provided by law, a religious organization shall not discriminate against a person in regard to rendering assistance funded under any program described in this section on the basis of religion, a religious belief or refusal to participate in a religious practice, or on the basis of race, age, color, sex or national origin.

G. Except as provided in subsection H, any religious organization that contracts to provide goods, services or assistance funded under any program is subject to the same rules as other contractors to account in accordance with generally accepted auditing principles for the use of the monies provided under the program.

H. If a religious organization segregates public monies provided under these programs into separate accounts, only the programs funded by financial assistance provided with these monies are subject to financial and performance audits.

I. Appeals from the decisions of the head of a state agency, board or commission may be made to the director of the department of administration in accordance with the rules of procedure adopted by the director pursuant to chapter 23, article 9 of this title to resolve bid protests.

J. A religious organization whose rights have been violated under this section may assert that violation as a claim or defense in an administrative proceeding or a judicial proceeding once all administrative remedies have been exhausted and obtain appropriate relief, including injunctive relief and compensatory damages. A religious organization that prevails in an action to enforce this section may seek to recover attorney fees and costs pursuant to section 12-348.

K. No monies provided directly to institutions or organizations to provide services and administer programs under this section may be spent for sectarian worship, instruction or proselytization. This subsection does not apply to the contracting for the services of chaplains by a public body.

L. For the purposes of this section:

1. " Exercise of religion" has the same meaning prescribed in section 41-1493.

2. " Public body" means state agencies, boards and commissions and political subdivisions of this state.