Right to Worship Act

This bill aims to safeguard the free exercise of religion by preventing interference with scheduled religious services at houses of worship. It defines disruption as conduct that meaningfully interferes with participation, causing substantial interruption, and impediment as unreasonably hindering or deterring entry or threatening individuals to prevent their participation. These prohibitions apply to actions taken knowingly , meaning the person is aware or reasonably should be aware their conduct will cause such interference. Specifically, the legislation makes it unlawful to engage in conduct that substantially affects interstate commerce by knowingly disrupting or impeding people within 100 feet from any entryway of a house of worship. This restriction is active during the period beginning one hour before and ending one hour after a scheduled religious service. The bill also prohibits conspiring to engage in, or causing another person to engage in, such unlawful conduct. The bill clarifies that whether a course of conduct constitutes a disruption is determined by its manner, including volume, duration, and impact, rather than the content of any speech or expression involved. It also states that these provisions do not preclude free speech conducted within specified time, place, and manner restrictions, nor do they prevent participation in activities for which a government entity has issued a permit. Violators face escalating civil fines , starting at $2,500 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second, and $10,000 for a third or subsequent offense. Furthermore, the bill establishes robust civil remedies , allowing aggrieved individuals to file lawsuits for injunctive relief, compensatory or punitive damages, or statutory damages of $5,000 per violation. The U.S. Attorney General and State Attorneys General are also empowered to initiate civil actions to seek similar relief, including civil penalties to vindicate the public interest.