House Bill 363 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg BarnesRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Crimes; crime of disruption of a worship service, established; criminal penalty, provided

Summary

HB363 creates a new offense called disruption of a worship service, with Class C felony penalties and a five-year minimum for second or later offenses, effective October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

It would establish the crime of disruption of a worship service. The offense applies when a person intentionally disrupts a worship service inside a church or on church property (including by riot, unlawful protest, disorderly conduct, or harassment) or when someone obstructs entry or exit to the church building or nearby property. It also defines key terms and clarifies protections for peaceful worship and protest. Penalties include a Class C felony for a first violation and a mandatory minimum of five years for a second or subsequent violation.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who enter church premises or nearby property with the intent to disrupt a worship service or to obstruct ingress/egress, and who engage in riot, unlawful protest, disorderly conduct, or harassment.
• Churches, religious organizations, and congregations, which may be protected against disruption and could experience changes in enforcement and security considerations surrounding worship services.

Key Provisions

• Creates the new offense of disruption of a worship service, with definitions for church, worship service, riot, unlawful protest, disorderly conduct, and harassment, and applies to disruptions inside the church or on contiguous property.
• Imposes penalties: first violation is a Class C felony; second or subsequent violations are Class C felonies with a mandatory minimum of five years, effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses