II 109th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 642 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 16, 2005 Mr. Frist (for himself, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Talent, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Craig, Mr. Allen, Mr. Burns, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Smith, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Graham, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Santorum, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, and Mr. Nelson of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To support certain national youth organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Support our Scouts Act of 2005.

2.

Support for youth organizations

(a)

Definitions

In this section— (1) the term Federal agency means each department, agency, instrumentality, or other entity of the United States Government; and (2) the term youth organization means any organization described under part B of subtitle II of title 36, United States Code, that is intended to serve individuals under the age of 21 years. (b)

In general

(1)

Support for youth organizations

No Federal law (including any rule, regulation, directive, instruction, or order) shall be construed to limit any Federal agency from providing any form of support for a youth organization (including the Boy Scouts of America or any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America) that would result in that Federal agency providing less support to that youth organization (or any similar organization chartered under the chapter of title 36, United States Code, relating to that youth organization) than was provided during each of the preceding 4 fiscal years. (2)

Types of support

Support described under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) holding meetings, camping events, or other activities on Federal property; and (B) hosting any official event of such organization.

3.

Equal access for youth organizations

Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5309) is amended— (1)in the first sentence of subsection (b) by inserting or (e) after subsection (a); and (2)by adding at the end the following: (e)

Equal access

(1)

Definition

The term youth organization means any organization described under part B of subtitle II of title 36, United States Code, that is intended to serve individuals under the age of 21 years. (2)

In general

No State or unit of general local government that has a designated open forum, limited public forum, or nonpublic forum and that is a recipient of assistance under this chapter shall deny equal access or a fair opportunity to meet to, or discriminate against, any youth organization, including the Boy Scouts of America or any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, that wishes to conduct a meeting or otherwise participate in that designated open forum, limited public forum, or nonpublic forum. .