Sponsors (4)
The bill makes it easier for customers to challenge use of a specific foreign religious legal system in public accommodations, but does so by singling out practices associated with Islam, creating legal risks and added costs for Muslim individuals, religious organizations, and small/minority-owned businesses.
Customers of public accommodations (patrons of businesses and services) gain a clearer legal standard to treat implementation of a specific foreign religious legal system (Sharia) as religious discrimination, making it easier to bring and enforce discrimination claims.
Muslim individuals and Muslim religious organizations face a heightened burden on religious freedom because the provision singles out practices associated with Islam, chilling religious exercise and accommodation.
Muslim-owned businesses and religious organizations face increased risk of legal challenges and liability simply for following religiously informed practices, raising the likelihood of lawsuits and penalties.
Small and minority-owned businesses may incur additional compliance and legal costs (policy changes, staff training, legal fees) to avoid allegations, increasing operating expenses.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Adds a rule to the Civil Rights Act declaring that a public accommodation that implements Sharia law discriminates on the basis of religion.
Amends the Civil Rights Act to state that any public accommodation that adopts or applies Sharia law in providing goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations will be treated as engaging in religious discrimination. The change creates a categorical rule that application of Sharia law by covered establishments constitutes discrimination on the basis of religion for purposes of federal civil rights law. The provision is narrow in form (adds a single definitional rule) but broad in effect because it explicitly targets one religious legal system and would guide enforcement, private suits, and litigation over whether particular conduct or policies are covered as unlawful religious discrimination.
Official title: To amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to improve prohibitions on discrimination by public accommodations.
Introduced March 19, 2026 by Barry Moore · Last progress March 19, 2026