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House approves law allowing churches to remove disruptors and limits some liability
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Summary
After extended questioning about breadth and potential for abuse, the House passed HB 294 to allow houses of worship to remove disruptive individuals, authorize reasonable force in limited circumstances and extend certain self‑defense protections to churches; the measure passed 75–25 following amendments.
The House on April 8 passed HB 294, a bill that gives houses of worship explicit authority to remove trespassers and disruptive people from church property, provides limited civil‑liability protection for removal actions, and adds churches to the state’s self‑defense statute.
Representative Ferment, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure ‘‘gives churches the authority to remove disruptive individuals, allows for the use of reasonable force to do so, affords civil liability protection for churches and individuals, and adds churches to our existing self defense law.’’ The sponsor noted the bill is intended to protect worshipers and children during services and church events.
Members asked about who may remove a person and how 'forcible offenses' or trespassing would be defined. Representative Jordan warned the language could be used to exclude or discriminate against visitors not causing a disruption; Representative Landry and others pressed for narrower definitions and procedural safeguards. The sponsor said the bill requires a request to leave and a proportional, reasonable response, and that the law targets trespassing or disruption not lawful worship.
Amendments clarified definitions, added limits and exemptions and tailored liability protections. The House adopted the bill on final passage (75 yeas, 25 nays). The legislation takes effect as provided in statute.
