HB363: HB363 Crimes and offenses; criminal trespass; include religious worship and observance or acknowledging the death of an individual

25 LC 48 1409 House Bill 363 By: Representatives Silcox of the 53rd, Reeves of the 99th, Kelley of the 16th, Crowe of the 118th, and Panitch of the 51st A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 16-7-21 of the Official Code of Georgia A nnotated, relating to1 criminal trespass, so as to include gatherings for the purposes of religious worship and2 observance or acknowledging the death of an individual; to prov ide for related matters; to3 repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Code Section 16-7-21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal7 trespass, is amended by adding a new subsection to read as follows:8 "(f) A person commits the offense of criminal trespass when he or she knowingly and9 without authority enters and remains upon the land or premises of another person and10 willfully and maliciously interrupts or disturbs any assembly of people met or convened11 for purposes of religious worship or observance or for purposes of acknowledging the death12 of an individual in such a manner that a reasonable person would conclude that the person13 who commits the act is a threat to the safety of any person so assembled."14 H. B. 363 - 1 - 25 LC 48 1409 SECTION 2.15 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. 16 H. B. 363 - 2 -