HB 363 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Crimes; crime of disruption of a worship service, established; criminal penalty, provided

This bill establishes a new criminal offense for intentionally disrupting a scheduled religious worship service. It applies to individuals who enter a church building or adjacent property (including mosques, synagogues, or other religious sites) with the intent to disrupt and then engage in rioting, disorderly conduct, harassment of participants, or blocking access to the property. A first violation is punishable as a Class C felony, while repeat offenses require a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence. The law, set to take effect on October 1, 2026, directly affects those who target religious gatherings through such disruptive actions.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 29, 2026 Last action Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Public Safety and Homeland Security 1st Substitute → County and Municipal Government 1st Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was transferred from the Public Safety committee to the County and Municipal Government committee, changing its sponsor from Representative Barnes to Senator Elliott and updating the bill number. The core policy shifted from creating a specific new crime called 'disruption of a worship service' to a broader prohibition against using force, threats, or obstruction to interfere with religious activities. The new version also explicitly authorizes private citizens to sue for damages if their religious rights are violated.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from targeting only the specific act of disrupting a scheduled service to prohibiting any use of force, intimidation, or obstruction against anyone exercising religious freedom at a place of worship.

ELIGIBILITY

The specific crime of 'disruption of a worship service' was removed and replaced with a broader prohibition against interfering with religious activities through force, threats, or obstruction.

ENFORCEMENT

A new provision was added allowing private individuals to file civil lawsuits for compensatory or statutory damages if their religious rights are violated.

DEFINITION

Definitions were updated to include 'physical obstruction' and 'intimidate' to clarify prohibited behaviors, and the scope of protected locations was broadened to include temples and other religious bodies.

TECHNICAL

The bill's title, committee assignment, sponsor, and bill number were updated to reflect its transfer to the County and Municipal Government committee.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (County and Municipal Government)

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 529

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Lee motion to Previous Question adopted - Adopted Roll Call 528

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 527

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Introduced

Judiciary Engrossed Substitute Offered (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Introduced

Judiciary 1st Amendment (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Committee in House of Origin (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors