← Legal Glossary
RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act)
Definition
A 1993 federal statute that prohibits the federal government from substantially burdening a person's religious exercise unless it demonstrates a compelling interest pursued through the least restrictive means. After the Supreme Court struck down RFRA's application to states in City of Boerne, Congress enacted RLUIPA to restore similar protections in the institutional context using the Spending Clause.
Examples
- •In Tanzin v. Tanvir, the Court held that RFRA authorizes individual capacity damages suits — Petitioner argues RLUIPA's identical language must be read the same way.