SACRED Act Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption Act
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This federal bill protects people exercising their religious freedom rights at places of worship by making it illegal to harass them within 100 feet of the facility.
Why it matters: Christian families and churches gain legal protection against disruption and harassment during worship, prayer, and religious activities—safeguarding the free exercise of faith that is central to Christian life.
Topic: Religious freedom & expression · classifier confidence 95%
What this changes
Amends existing law
Law today: Federal law in title 18, United States Code, currently does not specifically prohibit harassment of people exercising religious freedom at places of worship within a 100-foot radius of such facilities.
If passed: The bill would create a new federal crime for harassment of persons lawfully exercising religious freedom at churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other places of worship within 100 feet of the building. This would give Christian families federal legal protection if they or their children are harassed, threatened, or intimidated while attending worship services or religious events.
AI-generated from the bill text — verify against the official text.
Likely supporters & opponents
Likely support
- religious-liberty advocacy organizations — Federal law should protect people's First Amendment right to worship without harassment or intimidation.
- religious congregations and institutions — Places of worship need explicit legal protection against disruption and harassment of worshippers.
Likely opposition
- civil-liberties and free-speech groups — Broadly defining and criminalizing 'harassment' near churches could chill legitimate protest and speech.
- LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations — Such laws may be used to silence protest or counter-speech outside places of worship.
AI-inferred typical positions based on the bill’s substance — general stakeholder categories, not confirmed endorsements.
Should I support this?
Likely helpful for Christian families
The bill directly protects Christians' ability to worship without harassment or intimidation, reinforcing the First Amendment right to religious exercise and the safety of families and children at church. For Christian parents, this offers legal recourse against disruption of their family's religious practice.
An AI assessment from a Christian-family perspective — religious freedom, parental rights, and freedom in education — not legal or voting advice.
Official summary
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit harassment of persons lawfully exercising or seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship, within a distance of 100 feet or closer to such place of religious worship, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
- Thomas Suozzi (D)
- Max Miller (R)
- Josh Gottheimer (D)
- Gus Bilirakis (R)
- Bradley Schneider (D)
- Randy Weber (R)
- Joyce Beatty (D)
- David Kustoff (R)
- Nicholas Langworthy (R)
- Laura Gillen (D)
- Juan Ciscomani (R)
- Jimmy Panetta (D)
- Jennifer Kiggans (R)
- Daniel Goldman (D)
- Dan Meuser (R)
- Eugene Vindman (D)
Status timeline
- 2026-04-09Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.H
- 2026-04-09Introduced in HouseH
H = House · S = Senate · A = Assembly