1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to public safety; establishing the crime of disruption of worship services;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.28, subdivision 3, by adding a 
1.4 	subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.28, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.7 	to read:
1.8 		Subd. 2a.Disruption of worship services prohibited. (a) A person who enters a religious 
1.9 	establishment with the intent to disrupt a worship service that has a scheduled starting time 
1.10 	and commits a crime within the religious establishment is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
1.11 	(b) A person who violates paragraph (a) a second or subsequent time is guilty of a felony 
1.12 	and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine 
1.13 	of not more than $10,000, or both.

1.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2026, and applies to crimes 
1.15 	committed on or after that date.

1.16 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.28, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.17 		Subd. 3.Definition. For purposes of subdivision 2 this section, a "religious establishment" 
1.18 	is means a building used for worship services by a religious organization and clearly 
1.19 	identified as such by a posted sign or other means.

1.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2026.