Author: Daniel Dalton

In Landor, the court clarified that RLUIPA does not alter the law; rather, it bars prison litigants from seeking monetary damages from individuals who infringe their rights under the Act. This means Landor’s case is more about procedure than substantive law. The court may sympathize with Landor’s situation but still conclude that, as RLUIPA is currently drafted, he has no legal recourse for damages.

Congratulations to Milwaukee Rescue Mission for securing approval to build a new recovery facility in New Berlin, Wisconsin. Despite opposition, the Zoning Board reviewed the law and reached a favorable outcome. The key issue was what defines a church: a sanctuary with pews and a pulpit, or a long-term residential addiction recovery facility run as a Christian ministry. The City of New Berlin Board of Appeals ruled on June 22, 2026, resolving a dispute between a citizen coalition and the regional mission. The decision highlights how zoning laws, religious protections, and community interests clash when faith-based organizations expand.

In the heart of Brunswick, Georgia, a significant shift in local governance is taking place—one rooted in federal law and the protection of religious exercise. Following a high-profile legal battle with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), the City of Brunswick recently hosted a critical training session led by Daniel Dalton, a nationally recognized expert in the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).