To create the crime of disrupting a funeral or a memorial service; to provide penalties for violations; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) A person commits the crime of disrupting a funeral or memorial service if, during the 60 minutes immediately preceding a funeral or memorial service that has a scheduled starting time, during the funeral or memorial service, or immediately following the funeral or memorial service, the person does any of the following with the intention of disrupting the funeral or memorial service:
(1) Engages in a loud protest, including, but not limited to protest with or without using an electric sound amplification device, that involves singing, chanting, whistling, yelling, or honking a motor vehicle horn within 500 feet of the entrance to a facility being used for a funeral or memorial service.
(2) Displays any visual image that conveys fighting words or actual or veiled threats against any other person within 500 feet of any entrance to a facility being used for the service.
(2) Blocks access to a facility being used for the service.
(3) Impedes vehicles that he or she knows are part of the procession.
(b) For purposes of this act, the term "facility" includes a funeral home, church, or cemetery in which the funeral or memorial service takes place.
(c) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor for the first conviction and a Class C felony for each subsequent conviction.
Section 2. Although this bill would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds, the bill is excluded from further requirements and application under Amendment 621, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, because the bill defines a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime.
Section 3. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.