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House Bill Would Assure Right To Post Mezuzahs On Condo Unit Doors

By Howard M. Friedman

Earlier this week, U.S. Representative from New York, Jerrold Nadler, introduced H.R. 6932 which would amend the federal Fair Housing Act to guarantee residents of condominiums and co-ops the right to display religious symbols or objects, such as a mezuzah, outside their doors. The bill, known as the Freedom of Religious Expression in the Home Act of 2008, is a reaction to a 7th Circuit decision earlier this year that held the Fair Housing Act currently does not ban such condo rules. (See prior posting.) The bill would amend 42 USC Sec. 3604 to prohibit establishing

a rule or policy that prevents a person from displaying, on the basis of that person?s religious belief, a religious symbol, object, or sign on the door, doorpost, entrance, or otherwise on the exterior of that person?s dwelling, or that is visible from the exterior of that dwelling, unless the rule or policy is reasonable and is necessary to prevent significant damage to property, physical harm to persons, a public nuisance, or similar undue hardship.

Yesterday's New York Sun reports on the legislation that has three other co-sponsors.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on September 20, 2008 (boomark / email).