TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 10 (UPI) -- Florida's law preventing state funding for faith-based groups is up for possible review in the courts.
The state Supreme Court has been asked by an appellate court to define a provision that has governed the issue of state funding of church activities for 125 years, the St. Petersburg Times reported Sunday.
The issue came up in a lawsuit challenging a state corrections program that allows Christian ministers to counsel prisoners.
The law's provision states: "No revenue of the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution."
The state has not decided what course of action it might pursue once the high court responds to the appellate court's request.
"The question is, under what circumstances can the state provide funds to a religious organization?" asked Caroline Mala Corbin, an associate professor at the University of Miami School of Law. "It is an issue that has not been resolved by the highest court of Florida."
Religious groups and First Amendment advocates are watching the case unfold.
"If all religious organizations were no longer funded ... some would have to stop operating," said Frank Murphy, president of Catholic Charities in Florida's Pinellas County, which receives state money for a homeless shelter. "It becomes, who is going to take care of people?"
