By Jordan Gerard, Arizona Capitol Times
Key Points:
- HB 4117 would add new protections for religious services and activities
- Supporters say the proposal addresses increasing protests and disruptions of religious services
- Opponents say it would limit how abortion clinics can manage religious protesters
After protesters interrupted a church service in Minneapolis in January, Arizona legislators moved to expand protections for religious services and activities. Now, with a proposal underway in the Senate, abortion clinics are saying the measure goes too far.
Under HB 4117, filed by Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, intentionally disrupting a religious service or activity could result in a misdemeanor or felony charge.
But Planned Parenthood Arizona says that, if approved, the bill would limit its means to address protesters outside their clinics, especially those who read from the Bible or pray during their demonstration.
“This bill expands to not just services, but religious activities. And not just in a church or a mosque or a building or a temple, but it’s expanded to places where people regularly show up to have religious services or activities, which in our mind is right outside our clinic doors,” Kelley Dupps, director of external relations for Planned Parenthood Arizona, said.
