HF4095

HF4095 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Crime of disruption of worship services established.

Related bill: SF4396

AI Generated Summary

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

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF PDF file

Upcoming committee meetings

Public Safety Finance and Policy on: March 18, 2026 15:00

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 09, 2026	House		Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Public Safety Finance and Policy

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new subdivision 2a defining the disruption of worship services and prescribing penalties (gross misdemeanor for first offense; felony for second or subsequent offenses)."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.28 by adding a new subdivision (Subd. 2a) that creates the crime of disruption of worship services, defining offenses for first and subsequent violations.",
      "modified": [
        "Section 609.28 is amended by adding Subd. 2a."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.28",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  }
]