Panel adds religious services to law protecting funerals from disruptive protests; bill passes 5–2
March 02, 2026 | 2026 Legislature Georgia, Georgia
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The committee advanced SB 591 (LC 630053) by a 5–2 vote after the sponsor said the bill simply extends current protections for funerals to religious services and creates an aggravated misdemeanor for interference with memorial services for military honors.
Senator Parent questioned the impetus and urged caution about balancing freedom of religion, assembly and the right to protest. The sponsor cited U.S. Supreme Court precedent (Ward v. Rock Against Racism, 1989) and emphasized the statute is a time, place, and manner restriction with a 500-foot buffer already in current law. The committee voted 5–2 to pass the bill to the next stage.
No pro or con witnesses were recorded for this bill in the transcript.
Senator Parent questioned the impetus and urged caution about balancing freedom of religion, assembly and the right to protest. The sponsor cited U.S. Supreme Court precedent (Ward v. Rock Against Racism, 1989) and emphasized the statute is a time, place, and manner restriction with a 500-foot buffer already in current law. The committee voted 5–2 to pass the bill to the next stage.
No pro or con witnesses were recorded for this bill in the transcript.
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