Right to Worship Act

The Right to Worship Act makes it unlawful for individuals to knowingly disrupt religious services or prevent people from entering houses of worship within 100 feet of an entryway during a one-hour window before and after scheduled services. The bill defines prohibited conduct based on the manner of the action, such as volume and duration, rather than the specific content of any speech, while explicitly preserving the right to speak freely under standard time, place, and manner restrictions. Violators face escalating civil fines ranging from $2,500 for a first offense to $10,000 per occurrence for subsequent violations, which are assessed by the Attorney General. Additionally, the legislation grants private individuals, the U.S. Attorney General, and state Attorneys General the authority to file civil lawsuits seeking injunctive relief, compensatory damages, or statutory penalties of $5,000 per violation.