{"id":355640,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civilrights\/discrimination\/federal-religious-freedom-restoration-act-overview.html"},"modified":"2026-06-09T14:54:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T19:54:52","slug":"federal-religious-freedom-restoration-act-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/discrimination\/federal-religious-freedom-restoration-act-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"The Federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

The Federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) Explained<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) is a federal law tThe Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) is a federal law that protects people from government actions that burden their religious practices. Passed in 1993, RFRA requires the federal government to meet strict scrutiny before substantially burdening religious exercise.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Congress passed the RFRA<\/span> in response to court decisions that they felt weakened religious liberty<\/span>. The RFRA<\/span> made it tougher for the government to interfere with people\u2019s religious practices<\/span>. It remains one of the strongest legal protections for religious rights<\/span> in the United States. Understanding how this law works can help you protect your rights and recognize violations.<\/p>\n

This article provides:<\/p>\n