May 24, 2013
Criminal penalties for people who disrupt a funeral or memorial service would get tougher under a bill approved by a House judiciary committee.
The panel voted unanimously Wednesday on the measure that also would expand the scope of buffer zones designed to keep protesters away. The bill expands on a 2006 law that responded to members of an anti-gay church picketing military funerals nationwide.
Rep. Kelly Hastings of Cherryville says the new bill is also directed to the Kansas church's activities.
Violating the proposed law would result in a higher grade misdemeanor and a felony on a second offense.
Sarah Preston with the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union says the proposed buffer zones are so large that passers-by could unknowingly break the law.
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
