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119-hr-8353119th CongressWALLET

FAITH Act

Sponsored By: Representative Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

Introduced

Summary

Bans charging people fees tied to their religious beliefs or membership. This bill would make it a federal crime to impose or collect any fee, fine, surcharge, penalty, or other financial obligation based on a person’s participation in, membership in, or refusal to participate in any religious theology, denomination, or organization. It also clarifies that religious organizations and educational institutions may still request or receive voluntary contributions from members for internal purposes.

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  • Individuals: Protects people from being charged or denied goods and services because they join, refuse, or participate in a religion.
  • Penalties for offenders: Creates criminal penalties and fines. Fees of $1,000 or less carry up to 1 year in prison and fees over $1,000 carry up to 3 years in prison.
  • Denial of services: Knowingly denying goods, services, access, or opportunities for nonpayment of a prohibited fee is a separate crime punishable by up to 1 year in prison.
  • RICO effect: Adds this new offense to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act as a predicate offense.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

No Fees Based on Religion

This bill would make it a federal crime to knowingly charge or try to collect any fee, fine, surcharge, penalty, or other financial obligation from a person because of their participation in, membership in, or refusal to join any religion. If the amount is $1,000 or less, an offender would face a fine and up to 1 year in prison, or both. If the amount is more than $1,000, an offender would face a fine and up to 3 years in prison, or both. The bill would also make it a crime to deny goods, services, access, or opportunities for not paying a banned fee. It would not stop religious organizations or schools from asking for voluntary contributions from their members. The bill would take effect 30 days after enactment.

Religion-Fee Offense Added to RICO

This bill would add the new religion-fee offense to the list of racketeering crimes under the federal RICO statute. If enacted, violations of the new section could be used as predicate offenses in civil or criminal RICO cases, which can increase enforcement and private litigation options. This change would take effect 30 days after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Fuller, Clay [R-GA-14]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 4/28/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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