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Senate committee rejects bill to elevate penalties for disruptions inside houses of worship

Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety, California State Senate · March 24, 2026
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Summary

SB 10 70 would have made coordinated, repeated disruptions of religious services a wobbler (misdemeanor or felony). The committee debated constitutional and equity concerns and voted the bill down after mixed support from faith leaders and opposition from civil-rights and justice-reform groups.

Senate Bill 10 70, introduced by Senator Grove, would have made intentional, coordinated disruptions of worship services a "wobbler" offense, enabling prosecutors and courts to charge serious incidents as felonies in place of misdemeanors.

Supporters — including Milton Matczak (a retired deputy district attorney) and faith leaders who described repeated disruptions in churches and synagogues — said the…

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