The Right to Worship Act makes it federal crime to disrupt religious services or prevent people from entering houses of worship. The law prohibits anyone from knowingly disrupting a scheduled religious service or intimidating worshippers within 100 feet of any entrance during the hour before or after services. The legislation applies only to conduct that substantially affects interstate commerce and includes civil penalties ranging from $2,500 for a first offense to $10,000 for each subsequent offense, along with potential damages and attorney's fees. Both the U.S. Attorney General and state attorneys general can sue violators, and private citizens harmed by violations can also bring civil lawsuits seeking damages. The law is designed to protect religious freedom while explicitly preserving the right to free speech through time, place, and manner restrictions, and it does not require houses of worship to publicly post their service schedules.
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