SACRED Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8239
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:07:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The SACRED Act (H.R. 8239) aims to protect individuals lawfully exercising or seeking to exercise their First Amendment right to religious freedom at places of worship. It prohibits harassment, intimidation, or obstruction within 100 feet of such locations to ensure safe access.
Key Provisions
- Criminal Prohibitions (new 18 U.S.C. § 251):
- Within 100 feet of a place of religious worship (including parking lots and driveways), it bans:
- A "course of conduct" (series of acts showing continued purpose) intended to intimidate or obstruct entry/exit, if it reasonably causes fear for physical safety.
- Intentionally approaching within 8 feet to harass someone seeking to worship.
- Applies if the conduct affects interstate or foreign commerce.
- Penalties:
- First offense: Fine or up to 1 year imprisonment (or both); reduced for nonviolent acts (fine ≤ $10,000, ≤ 6 months jail).
- Subsequent offense: Fine or up to 3 years (nonviolent: ≤ $25,000, ≤ 18 months).
- If bodily injury results: Up to 10 years; if death: Life or term of years.
- Civil Remedies:
- Aggrieved worshippers or religious entities can sue for injunctions, compensatory/punitive damages (or $5,000 statutory per violation), costs, and attorney fees.
- U.S. Attorney General or state Attorneys General can sue for similar relief, plus civil penalties (up to $10,000–$25,000 per violation).
- Definitions (e.g., harass = serious act or conduct interfering with movement, causing fear of harm or substantial emotional distress; place of religious worship = buildings/spaces used primarily for worship or religious education).
- Rules of Construction: Does not ban peaceful protests protected by the First Amendment; does not replace or override state/local laws.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new federal criminal statute (18 U.S.C. § 251) to Chapter 13 (Civil Rights) of Title 18, U.S. Code, creating specific protections and penalties for conduct near religious sites.
- Introduces federal civil remedies enforceable by private parties, the U.S. Attorney General, and state Attorneys General, filling gaps in existing civil rights laws like those protecting clinics (e.g., FACE Act).
Potential Impacts
- Citizens: Enhances safety for worshippers entering/exiting religious sites, potentially reducing disruptions but raising concerns about protest restrictions.
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for DOJ (federal prosecutions/civil suits) and state Attorneys General; local law enforcement may assist.
- Religious Institutions: Easier access to remedies against disruptions.
- No direct impact on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary Beneficiaries: Worshippers, religious organizations (churches, mosques, synagogues, etc.), and their operators/owners.
- Regulated Parties: Individuals or groups engaging in harassing conduct near worship sites (e.g., protesters).
- Enforcers: Federal/state prosecutors, courts, law enforcement.
- Others: Free speech advocates, potentially affected by proximity-based limits.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional Balance: Explicitly preserves First Amendment rights for peaceful protests/demonstrations outside protected zones, aiming to avoid challenges under free speech doctrines (e.g., no-content-based restrictions).
- Federalism: Supplements (does not preempt) state/local laws, allowing multi-level enforcement.
- Precedent: Mirrors laws like the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act but tailored to religious sites, potentially expanding federal civil rights protections.
- Enforceability: Relies on "interstate commerce" nexus and "reasonable fear" standards, which courts will interpret; civil penalties incentivize government action.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-04-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption Act — issued 2026-04-09 — PDF (8 pages)