---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 2000bb–1"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "2000bb–1"
heading: "Free exercise of religion protected"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/2000bb-1"
units:
  - "Chapter 21B — Religious Freedom Restoration"
---

# §2000bb–1. Free exercise of religion protected

- (a) **In general—** [Government](/usc/42/2000bb–2.md?p=1) shall not substantially burden a person’s [exercise of religion](/usc/42/2000bb–2.md?p=4) even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except as provided in [subsection (b)](#b).
- (b) **Exception—** [Government](/usc/42/2000bb–2.md?p=1) may substantially burden a person’s [exercise of religion](/usc/42/2000bb–2.md?p=4) only if it [demonstrates](/usc/42/2000bb–2.md?p=3) that application of the burden to the person—
  - (1) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and
  - (2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.
- (c) **Judicial relief—** A person whose religious exercise has been burdened in [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of this section may assert that [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and obtain appropriate relief against a [government](/usc/42/2000bb–2.md?p=1). Standing to assert a claim or defense under this section shall be governed by the general rules of standing under article III of the Constitution.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–141, § 3, Nov. 16, 1993, 107 Stat. 1488.)