HHS has implemented certain regulatory reforms which ensure a level playing field for faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship as called for by Executive Order 14205.
Separate from the HHS Faith Center, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) within HHS enforces Federal protections against discrimination based on conscience and religion in specific programs funded by HHS federal financial assistance.
Conscience protections apply to certain health care providers, patients, and other participants in specific federal programs who refuse on religious or moral grounds to participate in certain health care services. Laws that prohibit discrimination based on religion protect individuals from discrimination on the basis of the individual’s faith in certain contexts. These statutes protect individuals who profess as well as those who do not profess a faith.
General Resources
HHS Regulations
While all three regulations related to the Center for Faith apply uniquely to each program they govern, there are principles contained in almost all the regulations that we broadly refer to as Equal Treatment Principles.
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Charitable Choice Regulations
- ACF Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Charitable Choice Regulations
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Charitable Choice Regulations
Equal Treatment Regulations that address HHS programs that include social service programs are located at the Code of Federal Regulations Title 45 Part 87.