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Panel adopts amendment creating misdemeanor for disrupting religious assemblies
Summary
An amendment to HB 22 64 establishes a Class A misdemeanor for disrupting worship services; the committee adopted the amendment and sent the bill to full Judiciary (7 ayes, 1 present not voting).
Representative Martin presented an amendment to HB 22 64 that would create a Class A misdemeanor for conduct that disrupts the worship of a religious assembly. The sponsor said the measure is intended to protect the fundamental right to worship and included language to avoid prosecuting customary religious expression.
Members asked about potential overlaps with trespassing statutes and about the bill's application to assemblies held in schools or chapels; the sponsor said the bill targets disruptions to worship gatherings rather than general educational settings. The committee adopted the amendment on the record and voted to send HB 22 64 as amended to full Judiciary; the clerk recorded 7 ayes and 1 present not voting.
