FAITH Act

The FAITH Act establishes new federal crimes related to financial obligations and religious participation. It prohibits knowingly imposing or collecting mandatory fees, fines, or other financial obligations from individuals based on their membership in, or refusal to join, any religious organization. The bill also makes it illegal to deny goods, services, or opportunities to a person for not paying such prohibited fees, with penalties including fines and imprisonment for violators. Importantly, it clarifies that religious organizations can still request and receive voluntary contributions from their members. Finally, the act includes these new offenses under federal racketeering laws.