Question:
Would a HOA board be in violation of federal and/or state laws if the board president insists on opening meetings of the homeowners with an overtly sectarian prayer?
All of us in attendance must sit through this prior to getting to the official business at hand and it just doesn’t seem right to me.
– Thomas
Answer:
Hi Thomas,
If the HOA is discriminating based on religion, then it is a violation of the Fair Housing Act. However, beginning a meeting with a prayer likely is not considered a violation of the FHA. An argument can be made that it is a violation if a member cannot attend the meeting because of their religious beliefs and they find the prayer offensive. However, even then, there is no guarantee that a court would find the HOA guilty of an FHA violation and would force it to stop prayers. If you object to the prayer, it is best to talk to the HOA board about it privately.
Disclaimer: We are not lawyers. The information provided on this website does not constitute legal advice.
