Faith-Based Community Center Protection Act
A BILL
To allow Homeland Security Grant Program funds to be used to safeguard faith-based community centers across the United States, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Amendment to Homeland Security Grant Program
“(6) Faith-based community center—The term faith-based community center means a facility operated by a nonprofit faith-based community organization for the provision of recreational, social, or education services. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “nonprofit” means an organization described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.”
“(14) protecting faith-based community centers or vulnerable populations, including children or the elderly; and”
“(g) Protection of faith-Based community centers and vulnerable populations
“(1) Allocation of grant funds—Of the total amount authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (3) for grants awarded for the purpose described in subsection (a)(14), the Administrator shall award—
“(A) 50 percent for the protection of faith-based community centers and vulnerable populations in communities with a population of not more than 1,000,000 individuals, as determined by the latest available decennial census; and
“(B) 50 percent for the protection of faith-based community centers and vulnerable populations in communities with a population of more than 1,000,000 individuals, as determined by the latest available decennial census.
“(2) Federal share
“(A) In general—The Federal share of a grant awarded for the purpose described in subsection (a)(14) may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of a project and the non-Federal share shall be the remaining percentage of such total cost.
“(B) Method of payment—The non-Federal share of project costs under a grant awarded for the purpose described in subsection (a)(14) may be paid in cash or in-kind from a grantee or a nonprofit entity involved with the project.
“(3) Authorization of appropriations—There are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 to the Administrator to make grants for the purpose described in subsection (a)(14).”