2006 Minnesota Statutes

609.501 FUNERAL OR BURIAL SERVICE; PROHIBITED ACTS.
    Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.
(b) "Family or household" has the meaning given to family or household member in section
518B.01, subdivision 2.
(c) "Funeral ceremony" has the meaning given in section 149A.02, subdivision 18.
(d) "Funeral procession" means two or more motor vehicles that identify themselves by using
regular lights and by keeping themselves in close formation, one of which contains the body of a
deceased person, enroute to or from a funeral ceremony or a graveside service.
(e) "Graveside service" has the meaning given in section 149A.02, subdivision 24.
(f) "Memorial service" has the meaning given in section 149A.02, subdivision 28.
(g) "Targeted residential picketing" has the meaning given in section 609.748, subdivision 1,
paragraph (c), but does not require more than one act or that acts be committed on more than one
occasion.
    Subd. 2. Crime to disrupt. (a) Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a
misdemeanor:
(1) with intent to disrupt a funeral ceremony, graveside service, or memorial service, protests
or pickets within 500 feet of the burial site or the entrance to a facility or location being used for
the service or ceremony, within one hour prior to, during, or one hour following the service or
ceremony;
(2) with intent to disrupt a funeral procession, impedes or attempts to impede a vehicle
that is part of the procession;
(3) intentionally blocks or attempts to block access to a funeral ceremony, graveside service,
or memorial service; or
(4) knowingly engages in targeted residential picketing at the home or domicile of any
surviving member of the deceased person's family or household on the date of the funeral
ceremony, graveside service, or memorial service.
(b) Whoever is convicted of a violation of paragraph (a) following a previous conviction
for a violation of paragraph (a) or a similar statute from another state or the United States
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
    Subd. 3. Civil remedy. A person who violates subdivision 2 is liable to a surviving member
of the deceased person's family or household for damages caused by the violation. A surviving
member of the deceased person's family or household may also bring an action for injunctive
relief and other appropriate relief or remedial compensation. In an action brought under this
subdivision, a prevailing plaintiff may recover attorney fees.
History: 2006 c 195 s 1