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Missouri Revised Statutes Title XXXVIII. Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders § 574.035. Disrupting a house of worship--penalty

Current as of January 01, 2023 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the “House of Worship Protection Act”.

2. For purposes of this section, “house of worship” means any church, synagogue, mosque, other building or structure, or public or private place used for religious worship, religious instruction, or other religious purpose.

3. A person commits the offense of disrupting a house of worship if such person:

(1) Intentionally and unreasonably disturbs, interrupts, or disquiets any house of worship by using profane discourse, rude or indecent behavior, or making noise either within the house of worship or so near it as to disturb the order and solemnity of the worship services; or

(2) Intentionally injures, intimidates, or interferes with or attempts to injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person lawfully exercising the right of religious freedom in or outside of a house of worship or seeking access to a house of worship, whether by force, threat, or physical obstruction.

4. The offense of disrupting a house of worship is a class B misdemeanor, unless it is a second offense, in which case it is a class A misdemeanor. Any third or subsequent offense of disrupting a house of worship is a class E felony.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Missouri Revised Statutes Title XXXVIII. Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders § 574.035. Disrupting a house of worship--penalty - last updated January 01, 2023 | https://codes.findlaw.com/mo/title-xxxviii-crimes-and-punishment-peace-officers-and-public-defenders/mo-rev-st-574-035.html

Read this complete Missouri Revised Statutes Title XXXVIII. Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders § 574.035. Disrupting a house of worship--penalty on Westlaw

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