1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to funerals; prohibiting the disruption of a funeral, burial service, or 
1.3 	memorial service; creating penalties and providing civil remedy; proposing 
1.4 	coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 609.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [609.501] FUNERAL OR BURIAL SERVICE; PROHIBITED ACTS.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Definitions.  (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms 
1.8 	have the meaning given them in this subdivision. 
1.9 	(b) "Funeral ceremony" has the meaning given in section 149A.02, subdivision 18. 
1.10 	(c) "Funeral service" has the meaning given in section 149A.02, subdivision 23. 
1.11 	(d) "Graveside service" has the meaning given in section 149A.02, subdivision 24. 
1.12 	(e) "Memorial service" has the meaning given in section 149A.02, subdivision 28. 
1.13 		Subd. 2. Crime to disrupt.  (a) It is a misdemeanor for a person to knowingly 
1.14 	and willfully disrupt or attempt to disrupt  the lawful funeral service, funeral ceremony, 
1.15 	graveside service, or memorial service for any deceased person. It is a gross misdemeanor 
1.16 	for a person to violate this subdivision, if the person has previously been convicted of a 
1.17 	violation of this subdivision.
1.18 	(b) For purposes of this section, disruption includes, but is not limited to:
1.19 	(1) public protesting or picketing on the day of the service or ceremony within 300 
1.20 	feet of the location or locations at which the service or ceremony is being conducted, if 
1.21 	that protesting or picketing is likely to cause emotional distress to any family member who 
1.22 	is mourning the loss of a deceased relative; 
1.23 	(2) impeding a funeral service, funeral ceremony, graveside service, or memorial 
1.24 	ceremony or access to any of them; or 
2.1 	(3) targeted protest or picketing within 300 feet of the home or domicile of any 
2.2 	surviving member of the deceased person's immediate family if the protest or picketing 
2.3 	could reasonably be construed as intended to disrupt the surviving member's grieving 
2.4 	process.
2.5 		Subd. 3. Civil remedies.  In addition to the criminal penalties provided in 
2.6 	subdivision 2, the court may enjoin conduct prohibited in subdivision 2, and may in such 
2.7 	proceeding award damages, including attorney fees or other appropriate relief against a 
2.8 	person, if there is credible evidence that the person has violated, or is likely to violate, 
2.9 	subdivision 2. Any surviving member of the deceased person's immediate family who is 
2.10 	damaged or threatened with loss or injury by reason of a violation described in subdivision 
2.11 	2 is entitled to sue for and have injunctive relief and appropriate remedial compensation 
2.12 	in any court of competent jurisdiction against any damage or threatened loss or injury 
2.13 	by reason of a violation thereof.

2.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.