1Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
2Consolidated Statutes, defining the offense of disrupting
3proceedings of house of worship; and imposing a penalty.

4The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5hereby enacts as follows:

6Section 1. Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
7Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:

8§ 5508.1. Disrupting proceedings of house of worship.

9(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of
10disrupting proceedings of house of worship if the person:

11(1) Intentionally disturbs, interrupts or disquiets a
12house of worship by using profane discourse, rude or indecent
13behavior or by making unreasonable noise either within the
14house of worship or so near it as to disturb the solemnity of
15the proceedings.

16(2) Intentionally injures, intimidates or interferes
17with or attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with a
18person lawfully exercising the free exercise of religion in

1or outside the house of worship or a person seeking access to
2a house of worship, whether by force, threat or physical
3obstruction.

4(b) Grading.--An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
5of the third degree.

6(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "house of
7worship" means a church, synagogue, mosque or other facility or
8place used for religious worship or other religious purpose.

9Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.