Sponsors (4)
The bill strengthens protections and civil remedies for worshippers and religious institutions near places of worship, but it increases criminal and civil exposure for protesters and may chill speech and create legal uncertainty about permissible protest conduct.
People lawfully attending or seeking to attend worship services (and the religious institutions that host them) gain a federal remedy and criminal deterrent against harassment or obstruction within 100 feet of sites of religious worship, making those areas more legally protected.
Religious organizations can recover damages, attorneys' fees, and obtain injunctive relief — including an option for statutory damages of $5,000 per violation — giving them a clear civil pathway to stop repeat harassment and obtain compensation.
The Attorney General and State attorneys general are empowered to seek injunctive relief and civil penalties, enabling public enforcement to deter widespread or recurring violations near worship sites.
Protesters and peaceful demonstrators risk federal prosecution or civil liability for conduct judged to intimidate, harass, or obstruct within 100 feet of worship sites, which may chill protected speech and lawful protest activity.
Individuals convicted under the criminal provisions face significant penalties (up to 1 year imprisonment for a first offense and up to 3 years for repeat offenses and fines), exposing people to serious criminal consequences for conduct near worship sites.
Broad or vague definitions (for example, of “course of conduct” and “harass,” and inclusion of parking lots) create uncertainty about what protest tactics are lawful and are likely to provoke litigation to clarify scope.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates federal criminal and civil remedies for intimidation, obstruction, approach, or harassment within 100 feet of places of worship by people exercising or seeking to exercise religious rights.
Introduced April 9, 2026 by Thomas Suozzi · Last progress April 9, 2026
Creates a new federal crime and private civil cause of action that forbids intimidating, obstructing, approaching, or harassing people who are lawfully exercising or seeking to exercise their religious rights within 100 feet of a place of worship. The measure sets short jail terms for first and repeat criminal offenses, allows injured people and place-of-worship owners to sue for injunctive relief and damages (including a $5,000 statutory-damage option), and permits the Attorney General and state attorneys general to seek civil relief and monetary penalties.