HB238 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Duwayne Bridges
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Funerals, disrupting, crime further provided for, distance of protest from property line of funeral facility further provided for, Sec. 13A-11-17 am'd.
Summary: HB238 increases the protest distance from funeral facilities to 1,000 feet and sets criminal penalties for disrupting funerals.
What This Bill Does
The bill changes the law to prohibit protests within 1,000 feet of the entrance to a funeral or memorial service, and to prohibit actions that block access or impede the procession. It applies to funeral homes, churches, and cemeteries where the service takes place, and establishes penalties: a Class A misdemeanor for the first violation and a Class C felony for subsequent violations. It also notes the bill does not require local funds under Amendment 621 because it creates or changes a crime, and it specifies when the law takes effect (the first day of the third month after it becomes law).

Who It Affects
Protesters near funeral services: would be limited by the 1,000-foot distance and face criminal penalties if they disrupt the service.
Funeral facilities (funeral homes, churches, cemeteries) and their attendees: would benefit from increased protection and clearer rules about access and procession disruption.

Key Provisions
Prohibits protests within 1,000 feet of the entrance to a facility hosting a funeral or memorial service.
Defines 'facility' to include funeral homes, churches, and cemeteries; prohibits actions that disrupt the service such as loud protests, blocking access, or impeding the procession.
Imposes penalties: Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and Class C felony for each subsequent offense.
Exempts the bill from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because it defines or amends a crime, and sets the effective date as the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Disrupting a Funeral or Memorial Service