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The Paycheck Protection Program and Religious Freedom Protections [Update]

04.03.2020 Written by: Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd.

Update to this post. Visit our COVID-19 resources page for more information.

Last night the SBA released its Interim Rule regarding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that provided further guidance on religious freedom protections for religious corporations and the like.

According to Section 5 of the Interim Rule, “All loans guaranteed by the SBA pursuant to the CARES Act will be made consistent with constitutional, statutory, and regulatory protections for religious liberty, including the First Amendment to the Constitution, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000bb-1 and bb-3, and SBA regulation at 13 C.F.R. 113.3-1h, which provides: ‘Nothing in [SBA nondiscrimination regulations] shall apply to a religious corporation, association, educational institution or society with respect to the membership or the employment of individuals of a particular religion to perform work connected with the carrying on by such corporation, association, educational institution or society of its religious activities.’ SBA intends to promptly issue additional guidance with regard to religious liberty protections under this program.”

Although the SBA hasn’t issued its additional guidelines yet, it is highly likely they will be in alignment with the religious freedom protections afforded to churches and religious organizations under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Link to rule here.


For more information about these updated guidelines from the Department of Labor, or for guidance for your business, nonprofit or religious organization in light of these guidelines, please contact our Business and Nonprofit Organizations Team.

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How the FFCRA Affects Businesses with Less than 50 Employees

03.31.2020 Written by: Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd.

How the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Affects Businesses with Less than 50 Employees

[Update to this post here – 4/3/2020]

More COVID-19 Resources

Are you a business owner with fewer than 50 employees (for a profit, nonprofit or religious organization)? Are you confused about the specific criteria required to claim an exemption to the expanded leave provisions of the Family’s First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)? If so, you’re not alone. Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor provided much-needed information and guidance.

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Family and Medical Leave Expansion under the FFCR Act

03.27.2020 Written by: Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd.

The new Families First Coronavirus Response (FFCR) Act was signed into law last week, and business owners are wondering how it affects them. How does the new emergency expanion of Family and Medical Leave under this law affect you? We’ve put together an infographic to help you navigate the information.

Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion under the FFCR Act
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The new Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed into law last week, might be a bit confusing or overwhelming (especially for business owners who may already be busy implementing new office cleaning procedures or are figuring out how to have employees newly remote in from home). How do the new emergency paid sick leave regulations under this law affect you? We’ve put together an infographic to help you navigate the information.

Emergency Paid Sick Leave infographic

Do not hesitate to contact our firm if you have any questions regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and how it affects your business.

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