Intentionally blocking entry to or exit from a privately owned place of religious worship, or making a protracted disruption inside one, without legal authority, is now a class 1 misdemeanor, or a class 6 felony in some cases, but peaceful picketing, protesting or other expressive activity is excluded.
Official title: interfering with religious service
- September 12, 2026
What changes
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NowA person commits 'interfering with a religious service or religious activity' if, without legal authority, they intentionally interfere with one by intentionally obstructing, blocking or impeding someone's ability to enter or exit a place of religious worship.
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NowIt is also this crime to intentionally make any protracted (drawn-out) commotion, utterance or display in a place of religious worship that disrupts a religious service or religious activity.
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NowThe crime is a class 1 misdemeanor. It becomes a class 6 felony if the person has a prior conviction under this law, used force, threats of force or physical intimidation, or acted together with 2 or more other people to block or impede entry or exit.
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NowThe law does not apply to peaceful picketing, protesting or other expressive activity, or to law enforcement officers, first responders or other authorized people acting within their official duties.
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NowA 'place of religious worship' is defined as a privately owned building, structure or designated location where people assemble for a religious service or activity. 'Obstructing, blocking or impeding' means making passage impassable or unreasonably difficult or hazardous.
Who it affects
- People attending religious services or activities at privately owned places of worship
- People who protest or demonstrate near places of worship
- Religious congregations and organizations that own places of worship
- Law enforcement officers and prosecutors
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- The specific jail time or fines for a class 1 misdemeanor or class 6 felony
- How courts will tell the difference between peaceful protest or expressive activity and the banned conduct
- Who counts as 'any other authorized person' under the exception
- How long a commotion must last to be 'protracted'
- Whether the law covers religious gatherings on publicly owned property
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.