Gov. Katie Hobbs signed HB 4117 in June. It makes it a crime to block entry to or exit from a house of worship, including the outdoor areas right next to it, or to disrupt a religious service.
A first offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, up to six months in jail. It becomes a felony for repeat offenders, for anyone who uses threats or intimidation, or when two or more people do it together.
Who was for it and who was against it
Sen. John Kavanagh rewrote the bill, and the ADL Desert Region helped broaden it. Alma Hernandez and Dream City Church supported it. Opposed: the Arizona chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women, CAIR-Arizona, Atheists United and Secular AZ, who warned it could chill protest.
What we are watching
Laws are only as real as their first case. Kol Phoenix will track county attorney filings for the first charge brought under the new statute.
How we reported this: based on the Legislature's bill summary and coverage by Lookout and KJZZ. No charges under the law have been reported yet. Tips to [email protected].