Criminal Law - Obstruction or Interference With Exercise of Religious Beliefs - Prohibition
Sponsor: Chris West (District 42)Committee: Judicial ProceedingsSubject: Criminal Law - Substantive CrimesStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 425 (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 establishing that a violation of the Act is a misdemeanor with a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both on conviction.
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Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.
Testimony (13)
MGA witness listFAV 11FavorableFWA 2Favorable with amendments
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Weisel, Meredithlobbyist | ADL | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Miicke, Sarahlobbyist | Baltimore Jewish Council | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | miller, deborahlobbyist | JCRC of Greater Washington | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Salganik, Laura | Jewish Community Relations Council of Howard County | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Alexandre, Jonathan | Maryland Family Institute | Position only |
| FAV | Roos, Elizabeth | Maryland Legislative Jewish Caucus | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Brown, Kirsten | Maryland State's Attorneys' Association | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Mizrahi, Jennifer | Mizrahi Family Charitable Fund | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | West, Christopher | Senator Chris West | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Senator West, Senator Westlegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Tibbals, Trudy | Individual | Position only |
| FWA | Sadwin, Rabbi Ariel | Agudath Israel of Maryland | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | O'Day, Garrettlobbyist | Maryland Catholic Conference | Written (PDF) |
Organizations on record
ADLFAV 1
Senator Chris WestFAV 1
Registered lobbyists who testified
FAVmiller, deborahJCRC of Greater WashingtonRegistered for: Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington