Kemp signs law protecting religious services from disruptive protests

ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation protecting religious services in Georgia from disruptive protests, a measure Georgia Baptist leaders say safeguards religious liberty and the freedom to worship peacefully.

Senate Bill 591 prohibits protests intended to disrupt religious services within 500 feet of a place of worship beginning one hour before a service and continuing until one hour after it concludes. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors and may carry penalties of up to a $1,000 fine or one year in jail.

The law also strengthens penalties for disrupting military funerals, elevating such offenses to high and aggravated misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $5,000, up to one year in jail, or both.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, passed the Georgia Senate by a 39-13 vote before advancing through the House and ultimately receiving Kemp’s signature.

Mike Griffin, public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, previously described the measure as “a way to protect religious freedom and ensure worshipers are shielded from harassment or protesters storming a service.”

Thomas Hammond, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, said churches should be able to gather for worship without fear of disruption or intimidation.

“Religious liberty is one of our most cherished freedoms,” Hammond said. “This law helps provide reasonable protections for churches and other houses of worship while respecting constitutional freedoms.”

Hammond attended the bill signing on Tuesday, accompanied by Trea Brinson, first vice president of the Georgia Baptist Convention and senior pastor of Eagle's Landing Baptist Church.

Brinson said the legislation carried personal significance because of his connection to Jonathan Parnell, a pastor whose church in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area where demonstrators entered a worship service and interrupted proceedings while protesting immigration enforcement policies.

“There is a difference between protest and disrupting the worship of God’s people,” Brinson said. “Churches should be places where people can gather peacefully to hear the gospel without fear or intimidation.”

Brinson said the issue matters to him not because “government advances the gospel — only Jesus does that — but because protecting the freedom to worship openly and peacefully is worth standing for.”

State law already provides similar protections for funerals and memorial services, and SB 591 extends comparable safeguards to worship services.

Critics of the measure have raised concerns about potential First Amendment implications, questioning whether the law could create confusion regarding lawful protest activity protected under the Constitution.

Supporters say that the legislation is narrowly focused on intentional disruption rather than peaceful expression.

Several other states, including Oklahoma and South Dakota, have recently adopted or considered similar legislation aimed at protecting worship services and religious gatherings from interference.

Brinson also thanked Kemp and Gooch for supporting protections for churches and religious gatherings.

“In a culture increasingly hostile to faith, I’m grateful for leaders who recognize the importance of safeguarding the freedom to worship freely, peacefully, and without disruption,” he said.

Hammond said the law ultimately reinforces the ability of churches to remain focused on their mission.

“Our churches exist to proclaim the gospel and minister to people,” Hammond said. “Ensuring worship services can proceed safely and peacefully is essential to that cause.”