A new Legal Development from attorney Richard Hammar demonstrates that while churches may not be subject to a federal law banning discrimination against individuals with a disability, they may be subject to a similar state law.

Why is this important to note? Although the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) only applies to churches with 15 or more employees, “most states have enacted their own employment discrimination laws banning discrimination based on disability, and these laws generally apply to employers with fewer than 15 employees,” Hammar explains.

Hammar’s write-up also explains why he advises churches to provide reasonable workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities.

Relatedly, Frank Sommerville’s new church employment article series, tells us about the importance of using employee handbooks to address, among other things, the ADA and other key federal employment statutes.

Unlock the series and this Legal Development to learn more about how your church should approach this issue.