Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship

§ 240.69 Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship.

1. A person is guilty of criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship when such person, with respect to an individual who was or is seeking to enter into or exit from a place of religious worship:

(a) knowingly or intentionally obstructs or otherwise interferes with the entryway into or exit from a place of religious worship, for the purpose of rendering passage by that individual unreasonably difficult or hazardous; or

(b) within fifty feet from a place of religious worship, knowingly or intentionally engages in a course of conduct that places that individual in reasonable fear for their safety.

2. For purposes of this section, the term "security perimeter" shall mean an area that is established by a law enforcement agency in response to, or in anticipation of, a demonstration outside of a place of religious worship, within which demonstration activity is not allowed.

3. Nothing in this section shall limit the authority or discretion of law enforcement agencies for the purpose of public safety to establish security perimeters, including security perimeters that extend beyond fifty feet of distance from a place of religious worship.

Criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship is a class B misdemeanor.