The SACRED Act creates new federal criminal penalties and civil remedies to protect people exercising religious freedom at places of worship. The law prohibits harassment, intimidation, or obstruction within 100 feet of religious buildings and includes their parking areas and driveways. Violations can result in fines and up to one year in prison for first offenses, up to three years for repeat offenses, and up to ten years if bodily injury occurs. The bill allows victims and religious institutions to sue for damages, including statutory damages of $5,000 per violation, and authorizes the U.S. Attorney General and state attorneys general to bring civil enforcement actions. The law explicitly preserves First Amendment protections for peaceful picketing and demonstration outside religious sites and does not prevent states and localities from passing their own related laws.
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