114 STAT. 2763A-620 PUBLIC LAW 106-554—APPENDIX G "(b) LIMITATION.—T his part does not apply to any award of financial assistance under a designated program for a purpose other than the purpose specified in subsection (a). "(c) DEFINITIONS.— For purposes of this part (and subject to subsection (b)): "(1) The term 'designated program' has the meaning given such term in subsection (a). "(2) The term 'financial assistance' means a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract. "(3) The term 'program beneficiary' means an individual who receives program services. "(4) The term 'program participant' means a public or private entity that has received financial assistance under a designated program. "(5) The term 'program services' means treatment for substance abuse, or preventive services regarding such abuse, provided pursuant to an award of financial assistance under a designated program. "(6) The term 'religious organization' means a nonprofit religious organization. -SEC. 582. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. "(a) IN GENERAL. —Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization, on the same basis as any other nonprofit private provider— "(1) may receive financial assistance under a designated program; and "(2) may be a provider of services under a designated program. "(b) RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.— The purpose of this section is to allow religious organizations to be program participants on the same basis as any other nonprofit private provider without impairing the religious character of such organizations, and without diminishing the religious freedom of program beneficiaries. "(c) NONDISCRIMINATION AGAINST RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. — " (1) ELIGIBILITY AS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.— Religious organizations are eligible to be program participants on the same basis as any other nonprofit private organization as long as the programs are implemented consistent with the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict the ability of the Federal Government, or a State or local government receiving funds under such programs, to apply to religious organizations the same eligibility conditions in designated programs as are applied to any other nonprofit private organization. "(2) NONDISCRIMINATION.— Neither the Federal Government nor a State or local government receiving funds under designated programs shall discriminate against an organization that is or applies to be a program participant on the basis that the organization has a religious character. "(d) RELIGIOUS CHARACTER AND FREEDOM.— "(1) RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. —Except as provided in this section, any religious organization that is a program participant shall retain its independence from Federal, State, and local
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