- Feb 5, 2002
- 187,963
- 68,915
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
- Faith
- Catholic
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Others
California lawmakers are advancing legislation to bolster protections for churches and other houses of worship amid a rise in reported disruptions and intimidation at religious services across the state and nationwide.
Senate Bill 1070, introduced by state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in collaboration with The American Council, would update the state’s penal code, which currently classifies intentional disturbances of religious worship as a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
The proposed bill would create a "wobbler" offense, giving prosecutors discretion to charge violations as either a misdemeanor or a felony based on severity, coordination or repetition. If passed, SB 1070 would expand California Penal Code Section 302 and impose felony penalties, including fines of up to $5,000 and 16 months in county jail.
Under current state law, disturbing a religious meeting by using profanity, misbehavior or unreasonable noise is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of up to a $1,000 fine and/or a year in county jail.
Continued below.
www.christianpost.com
Senate Bill 1070, introduced by state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in collaboration with The American Council, would update the state’s penal code, which currently classifies intentional disturbances of religious worship as a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
The proposed bill would create a "wobbler" offense, giving prosecutors discretion to charge violations as either a misdemeanor or a felony based on severity, coordination or repetition. If passed, SB 1070 would expand California Penal Code Section 302 and impose felony penalties, including fines of up to $5,000 and 16 months in county jail.
Under current state law, disturbing a religious meeting by using profanity, misbehavior or unreasonable noise is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of up to a $1,000 fine and/or a year in county jail.
Continued below.
California bill aims to stiffen penalties for agitators disrupting church services
California lawmakers are advancing legislation to bolster protections for churches and other houses of worship amid a rise in reported disruptions and intimidation at religious services across the
www.christianpost.com
