A bill that would allow the Michigan Family Independence Agency (FIA) to fund religious organizations or convert social welfare programs to vouchers has passed in the Children & Family Services committee by a 5-2 vote. The bill (HB 5316), sponsored by Rep. Mark Jansen (R-72nd), would extend problematic provisions of federal welfare reform into every program funded through FIA, and could also result in dismantling of programs in favor of vouchers. Known as “charitable choice”, this legislation would impact Michigan in the following ways:

• Violate the state constitution’s ban on direct state funding of religious organizations
• Force people in need to seek alternative services if they object to the religious character of a state funded provider
• Eliminate grant programs in favor of vouchers and
• Steer people in need toward programs that include religious worship.

Although HB 5316 prohibits grant programs from using state funds to try to convert people, there are no procedures or safeguards to ensure that worship is separated from services. Congregations would merely self-certify that they are not using state funds for religious purposes. For voucher programs, congregations could include worship activity in services and discriminate against people seeking help based on religious affiliation. Although religious congregations that receive funds under this bill would be subject to the same regulations as other nonprofits and would be required to keep state funds in a separate account, there is one big exception: congregations would be allowed to discriminate on the basis of religious affiliation or practice when hiring staff to work in state funded programs. Currently congregations are allowed to discriminate on the basis of religion when hiring staff for religious related purposes (i.e. ministers, rabbis, priests, etc.). HB 5316 would stretch this exception to cover non-religious, publicly funded activity.