PIERRE, S.D.(KBRK)- The state Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday advances a bill (SB 113) to make disrupting church services through threats or violence a Class 6 felony.
District 24 state Sen. Jim Mehlhaff, R-Pierre said it’s currently a misdemeanor.
Ryan Brunner is senior policy advisor to Gov. Larry Rhoden — who proposed the bill at a Jan. 23 press conference. Brunner said this law would not apply to small disruptions.
Tara Larson is with the South Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She said elevating this to a felony is unnecessary.
The committee advanced the measure on a 7-0 vote. It now goes to the senate floor.
Passage came one day after the House Judiciary committee advanced a similar bill (HB 1124) to make trespassing upon a church with intent to disrupt services a Class 5 felony.
The post Senate Judiciary Committee passes SB113 appeared first on Hub City Radio.
