FAITH Act

119 HR 8353 IH: Freedom Against Imposed Theology Harms Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-04-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8353 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 16, 2026 Mr. Self introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To establish a prohibition on fees related to religious participation, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Freedom Against Imposed Theology Harms Act or the FAITH Act . 2. Prohibition on fees related to religious participation (a) In general Chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 251. Prohibition on fees related to religious participation (a) Offense Whoever knowingly imposes, assesses, collects, or attempts to impose, assess, or collect any fee, fine, surcharge, penalty, or other financial obligation from any person based on that person’s participation or membership in, or refusal to participate in or become a member of, any religious theology, denomination, or organization shall— (1) in the case that the fee, fine, surcharge, penalty or other financial obligation does not exceed $1,000, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both; or (2) in any other case, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both. (b) Prohibiting denial of goods and services Whoever knowingly denies goods, services, access, or opportunities to a person on the basis of nonpayment of any fee prohibited under subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the ability of religious organizations and educational institutions to request or receive voluntary contributions from their members for internal purposes. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 251. Prohibition on fees related to religious participation. . 3. RICO offense Section 1961(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting section 251 (relating to the prohibition on fees tied to religious participation), after section 224 (relating to sports bribery), . 4. Effective date This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.