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House panel considers criminal penalties to protect access to places of worship
Summary
SB 5436 would create a gross misdemeanor for willful or reckless interference with access to places of worship and allow civil damages; supporters from faith and civil‑rights groups cited rising harassment, while defense and civil‑liberties groups urged narrowing language to protect lawful protest and avoid weaponization against officers.
The committee heard testimony on engrossed substitute Senate Bill 54 36, which would create a new offense for willful or reckless interference with access to places of worship around services and allow civil remedies and per‑day damages for aggrieved parties.
Lena Langer, counsel to the committee, said the bill mirrors existing state law that protects healthcare facilities and includes prohibited conduct such as physical obstruction of ingress or egress, trespass, repeated telephoning or electronic…
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