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Bill

SB 5436

Interfering with access to a place of religious worship.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Braun and 9 co-sponsors

SB 5436 criminalizes intentionally interfering with access to religious worship spaces, establishing penalties to protect worshippers from disruption and obstruction.

By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
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Bill Summary · SB 5436

Legislative bill overview

SB 5436 creates criminal penalties for intentionally interfering with, obstructing, or preventing access to places of religious worship. The bill appears designed to protect individuals' ability to attend religious services from disruption or intimidation. It has passed committee with amendments but faced minority opposition.

Why is this important

Religious freedom and safe access to worship spaces are foundational rights, but places of worship have faced increasing disruptions, harassment, and security threats in recent years. This legislation attempts to establish clear legal consequences for such interference, potentially affecting both protest activities and genuine security threats at religious institutions.

Potential points of contention

  • Free speech vs. religious access: The bill's scope of "interfering" or "obstructing" could conflict with First Amendment protections for lawful protest and picketing outside religious facilities, depending on how broadly courts interpret these terms
  • Vague definitions: Terms like "interfering with access" may be subjectively applied and could criminalize behavior that falls in gray areas between legitimate protest and actual obstruction
  • Enforcement disparities: Concerns that the law could be applied unequally across different religious groups or communities, with some groups receiving greater protection than others

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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