HB 1252-S - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/09/01)

     Requires a faith-based chemical dependency treatment program to conspicuously include in any advertisement or literature that promotes or describes the program or the program's chemical dependency treatment services the following statement:  "The treatment and recovery services at (name of program) are exclusively religious in nature."

     Provides that a state agency may not deny to an individual a state or federal social service benefit on the basis that the individual is participating in a faith-based residential chemical dependency treatment program licensed under this chapter.

     Declares that this act is not intended to aid religion.  These sections are intended to aid chemically dependent persons by supporting programs that serve the valid public purpose of combating chemical dependency, regardless of whether the programs are religious, spiritual, or ecclesiastical in nature.