If a new bill filed by Hamilton County state lawmakers becomes law, a person could serve up to six months in prison for interrupting something like a Catholic Mass by blowing a whistle and yelling, Rep. Greg Martin said.
Martin, R-Hixson, is sponsoring the legislation in the Tennessee House.
Martin said the bill was prompted by a protest in Minnesota that interrupted a worship service where journalists, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, were arrested.
State Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, filed the corresponding Senate bill, which would make it a misdemeanor for a person to intentionally obstruct, disturb or interfere with the activities of a religious institution by making an utterance, gesture or display in a way that offends the sensibilities of an ordinary person.
Gardenhire said that when Martin brought the bill to him, he thought it was a good idea because of abortion protests at churches in the 1990s.