Criminal Law - Obstruction or Interference With Exercise of Religious Beliefs - Prohibition
Sponsor: Samuel I. Rosenberg (District 41)Committee: JudiciarySubject: Criminal Law - Substantive CrimesStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 424 (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Prohibiting a person from using force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to interfere with or physically injure another while the other is lawfully exercising or attempting to lawfully exercise religious beliefs at a place of religious worship; and providing that a person who violates the Act is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment of up to 90 days or a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
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Testimony (16)
MGA witness listFAV 14FavorableFWA 1Favorable with amendmentsUNF 1Unfavorable
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Sadwin, Rabbi Ariel | Agudath Israel of Maryland | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Stevens, Joshua | Anti-Defamation League | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Miicke, Sarahlobbyist | Baltimore Jewish Council | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Solomon, Jared | Delegate Solomon | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Rosenberg, Samuel | House of Delegates | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | miller, deborahlobbyist | JCRC of Greater Washington | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Stein, Martin | Jewish Community Relations Council | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | O'Day, Garrettlobbyist | Maryland Catholic Conference | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Brown, Kirsten | Maryland State's Attorneys' Association | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Mizrahi, Jennifer | Mizrahi Family Charitable Fund | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Kaplowitz, Richard KAP | Year | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Delegate Rosenberg, Delegate Rosenberglegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Rosa, Richard | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Tibbals, Trudy | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Price, Suzanne | Concerned Citizen | Position only |
| FWA | Goldstein, Mathew | Secular Maryland | Written (PDF) |
Organizations on record
Registered lobbyists who testified
FAVmiller, deborahJCRC of Greater WashingtonRegistered for: Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington