This bill proposes to amend title 18 of the United States Code by creating a new federal offense aimed at safeguarding access to places of religious worship. Its primary goal is to prohibit the harassment and obstruction of individuals who are lawfully exercising or seeking to exercise their First Amendment right to religious freedom. Specifically, the legislation prohibits engaging in any course of conduct within 100 feet of a place of religious worship with the intent to intimidate or obstruct passage, if it causes reasonable fear for physical safety. It also bans intentionally approaching and harassing any person within 8 feet of them, while they are within 100 feet of a place of worship, if they are seeking to exercise religious freedom. Violators face criminal penalties, ranging from fines and up to one year imprisonment for a first offense, to up to three years for subsequent offenses, with enhanced penalties for bodily injury or death. The bill also establishes robust civil remedies , allowing aggrieved individuals, the place of worship itself, the U.S. Attorney General, or State Attorneys General to pursue injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and civil penalties. Importantly, the bill includes rules of construction clarifying that it does not prohibit expressive conduct, such as peaceful picketing, protected by the First Amendment outside places of worship. Furthermore, it does not preempt existing State or local laws that may provide similar protections or remedies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to protecting religious freedom.