HF4095

Purpose

This bill creates a new criminal offense called “disruption of worship services.” It aims to protect worship services by making it illegal for someone to enter a religious establishment with the intent to disrupt a worship service that has a scheduled start time, and to impose penalties for violating this prohibition, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses.

Main Provisions

• Adds a new subdivision (2a) to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.28.
• Prohibited conduct: A person who enters a religious establishment with the intent to disrupt a worship service that has a scheduled starting time and commits a crime within the religious establishment.
• First offense: The person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
• Second or subsequent offense: The person is guilty of a felony, with possible punishment of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new crime within the existing criminal code by adding subdivision 2a to section 609.28.
• Establishes a tiered penalty structure: gross misdemeanor for the first violation; felony with imprisonment and/or fines for subsequent violations.
• Specifically ties the offense to entering a religious establishment with intent to disrupt a worship service that has a scheduled start time and committing a crime within the establishment.

Practical Implications

• Law enforcement and prosecutors would have a new charge to address disruptions of worship services.
• The bill emphasizes protection of religious gatherings and imposes stricter penalties for repeat offenders.

Relevant Terms - disruption of worship services - religious establishment - worship service - scheduled starting time - gross misdemeanor - felony - imprisonment - fine - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.28 - subdivision 2a - second or subsequent offense