SBA proposes rule to eliminate regulations that exclude faith-based organizations from seven SBA programs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration invites public comment on a proposed rule designed to remove regulatory provisions that exclude certain faith-based organizations from seven business loan and disaster assistance programs. These programs include the Intermediary Lending Program, Business Loan programs (7(a), Microloan and 504 programs), Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and Immediate Disaster Assistance Program.

Because these provisions exclude otherwise eligible applicants based on their religious status, they vio...