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OPA News Release: [09/22/2003]
Contact Name: Ed
Frank
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
U.S. Department of Labor Announces Elimination of
Barriers to Faith-Based Training, Contracting
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) today
announced it is moving forward with two regulatory changes that would eliminate
barriers to faith-based training and contracting.
The Labor Department announced a notice of proposed rule making (NPRM)
that would conform Workforce Investment Act (WIA) job-training funds to rules
already governing federal Pell grants and student loans and allow recipients to
pursue faith-based careers. Currently, individuals who receive WIA training
vouchers are barred from using them to pay for faith-based studies, while
individuals who receive Pell grants or federal student loans are allowed to use
them to pay tuition in postsecondary faith-based institutions. The
department’s proposal would end that inequity and remove this barrier for
men and women who want to pursue faith-based training.
The department also announced a direct final rule that amends its rules
regarding federal contractors to eliminate the barriers to faith-based
institutions contracting with the federal government. The rule implements
President Bush’s executive order of Dec. 12, 2002, which mandated that DOL
make certain reforms to existing federal contracting rules that affect
faith-based organizations.
Currently, faith-based institutions can be barred from competing for
federal contracts if they hire staff in accordance with their religious
beliefs. The Labor Department will revise the current regulation to conform
with Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and make it clear that faith-based
institutions that secure government contracts are not barred from hiring
members of their own faith.
“Faith-based organizations play a critical role in helping
dislocated and unemployed workers find new job opportunities,” said Labor
Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “The two regulations announced today remove
barriers to faith-based organizations and provide a level playing field so they
can help people in their communities.”
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