Florida lawmakers are hoping to expand a current law targeting funeral disturbances, like picketing or rioting at military funerals. A bill that would do just that passed unanimously in its first House committee Wednesday.
It’s already a first degree misdemeanor for a person to willfully interrupt or disturb funerals, memorials, or burials. The new measure would apply the same penalty to those who knowingly cause or engage in protests during or within one hour before or after any funeral services. Republican Representative Patrick Rooney is the bill’s sponsor.
“We’re not trying to restrict exactly what’s being said—it’s not regulating what they’re saying, it’s just regulating where they can do it, in the context of a funeral,” said Rooney.
The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved the measure on a 13-0 vote. It has one more committee stop before it heads to the House floor.
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