The departments of Education, Homeland Security, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Agency for International Development jointly published a new rule along with regulations that would add protections for religious providers of social services. 
 
The regulations would allow these providers to compete on equal footing with private providers for government funds, reports The Christian Post. 
 
The rule becomes effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register and will require that all decisions about federal financial assistance be based solely on merit, without regard to an organization's religious affiliation. 
 
It will also protect beneficiaries of these social services from any discrimination based on religion, a religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or participate in a religious practice.
 
"Today's regulations not only protect the religious liberties of USDA customers, but also reflect the concerns of our community and faith-based partners," Norah Deluhery, director of faith-based and neighborhood partnerships at USDA said in a statement Thursday. 
 
"Faith-based organizations support the delivery of critical safety nets that improve quality of life for many. Today's reforms will strengthen these services while reflecting the constitutional principles that define our nation."

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