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State Affairs advances bill creating criminal trespass penalty for disruptive church service intrusions
Summary
The committee voted to send S 1296 to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation after testimony from a retired police officer and a family-policy group; debate touched on whether similar enhancements should extend to businesses and other public spaces.
Senate State Affairs advanced S 1296 on Feb. 25, a bill introduced by Senator Anthon that would add criminal trespass provisions and penalties for people who intentionally disrupt church services.
Senator Anthon said the measure responds to a rise in interruptions at religious services and argued that time, place and manner limits on speech justify enhanced protections for worship. Clint Sandusky, a retired police officer who has worked on church security teams, testified in support and said the bill would help law enforcement track and respond to trespass incidents. Grace Howat of the Idaho Family Policy Center also testified that freedom to worship without disruption is not covered by First Amendment protections for disruptive conduct.
Vice Chairman Bernt and Senator Adams asked why enhanced penalties would be limited to places of worship rather than extended to businesses or public spaces; proponents replied there are existing Idaho Code provisions for private and public property and this bill fills a statutory gap they say exists for churches. Senator Anthon and Senator Ruchti defended the bill as narrowly tailored to protect religious services while preserving free-speech principles.
Senator Ruchti moved to send S 1296 to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation; Senator Harris seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. The bill will proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.
