SB176 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Gerald H. AllenDick BrewbakerClay ScofieldTom WhatleyMark Slade Blackwell

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

SB176 would raise the distance protesters must stay from funeral facilities to 1,000 feet from the property line and make certain disruptions during funerals crimes with escalating penalties.

What This Bill Does

It changes the law to prohibit protests within 1,000 feet of a funeral facility's property line (instead of 500 feet to the entrance) during a 60-minute window around a service. It makes actions like loud protests, blocking access, or impeding funeral processions illegal. Violations are a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class C felony for subsequent offenses. The term 'facility' includes funeral homes, churches, and cemeteries, and the act would take effect after the governor signs, on the first day of the third month after passage; the bill also notes a related constitutional funding provision but treats this as a new crime.

Who It Affects

• Protesters and members of the public who might participate in demonstrations near funeral services, who would be subject to a 1,000-foot distance and potential criminal charges.
• Funeral facilities (funeral homes, churches, cemeteries) and those involved in funeral processions, who would be protected by the prohibition on disruptive actions and subject to enforcement if violations occur.

Key Provisions

• Increases the prohibited protest distance to 1,000 feet from the property line of a facility used for a funeral or memorial service.
• Prohibits disruptive actions within the 60 minutes before, during, or after a funeral, including protests with amplification, blocking access, and impeding procession vehicles.
• Defines 'facility' to include funeral homes, churches, and cemeteries and sets penalties: Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and Class C felony for subsequent offenses.
• States the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and governor approval, and notes an exemption related to local-funding requirements because it creates a new crime.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Disrupting a Funeral or Memorial Service