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42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3631 — Fair Housing Act (Title VIII)›§3614–1. Incentives for self-testing and self-correction

§3631. Violations; penalties

42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3631 — Fair Housing Act (Title VIII) · 2026 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · United States

Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, by force or threat of force willfully injures, intimidates or interferes with, or attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with—

(a) any person because of his race, color, religion, sex, handicap (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title), familial status (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title), or national origin and because he is or has been selling, purchasing, renting, financing, occupying, or contracting or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental, financing or occupation of any dwelling, or applying for or participating in any service, organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings; or

(b) any person because he is or has been, or in order to intimidate such person or any other person or any class of persons from—

(1) participating, without discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, handicap (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title), familial status (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title), or national origin, in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities described in subsection (a); or

(2) affording another person or class of persons opportunity or protection so to participate; or

(c) any citizen because he is or has been, or in order to discourage such citizen or any other citizen from lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, without discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, handicap (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title), familial status (as such term is defined in section 3602 of this title), or national origin, in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities described in subsection (a), or participating lawfully in speech or peaceful assembly opposing any denial of the opportunity to so participate—

shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if bodily injury results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both.

(Pub. L. 90–284, title IX, §901, Apr. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 89; Pub. L. 93–383, title VIII, §808(b)(4), Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 729; Pub. L. 100–430, §9, Sept. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 1635; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXII, §320103(e), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2110; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §604(b)(15), (27), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3507, 3508.)

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▸ Contents — 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3631 — Fair Housing Act (Title VIII)
42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3631 — Fair Housing Act (Title VIII)
  1. ▸ 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3631 — Fair Housing Act (Title VIII)
    Overview
    1. §3601. Declaration of policy
    2. §3602. Definitions
    3. §3603. Effective dates of certain prohibitions
    4. §3604. Discrimination in the sale or rental of housing and oth…
    5. §3605. Discrimination in residential real estate-related trans…
    6. §3606. Discrimination in the provision of brokerage services
    7. §3607. Religious organization or private club exemption
    8. §3608. Administration
    9. §3608a. Collection of certain data
    10. §3609. Education and conciliation; conferences and consultatio…
    11. §3610. Administrative enforcement; preliminary matters
    12. §3611. Subpoenas; giving of evidence
    13. §3612. Enforcement by Secretary
    14. §3613. Enforcement by private persons
    15. §3614. Enforcement by Attorney General
    16. ▸ §3614–1. Incentives for self-testing and self-correction
      Overview
      1. §3614a. Rules to implement subchapter
      2. §3615. Effect on State laws
      3. §3616. Cooperation with State and local agencies administering…
      4. §3616a. Fair housing initiatives program
      5. §3617. Interference, coercion, or intimidation
      6. §3618. Authorization of appropriations
      7. §3619. Separability
      8. §3631. Violations; penalties

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