---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 3617"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "3617"
heading: "Interference, coercion, or intimidation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/3617"
units:
  - "Chapter 45 — Fair Housing"
  - "Subchapter I — Generally"
---

# §3617. Interference, coercion, or intimidation


It shall be unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any [person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=d) in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of his having aided or encouraged any other [person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=d) in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by section [3603](/usc/42/3603.md), [3604](/usc/42/3604.md), [3605](/usc/42/3605.md), or [3606](/usc/42/3606.md) of this title.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 90–284, title VIII, § 818, formerly § 817, Apr. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 89; renumbered § 818 and amended Pub. L. 100–430, §§ 8(1), 10, Sept. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 1625, 1635.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 818 of Pub. L. 90–284 was renumbered section 819 and is classified to section 3618 of this title.

### Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–430 struck out at end “This section may be enforced by appropriate civil action.”

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–430 effective on the 180th day beginning after Sept. 13, 1988, see section 13(a) of Pub. L. 100–430, set out as a note under section 3601 of this title.