If this bill were to become law, it would amend current statutes by adding a new section to Title 13, Chapter 29 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, specifically Section 13-2931. This new section would establish the offense of "disturbing a religious service," which would be defined as knowingly disturbing or disquieting a gathering for religious worship through indecent behavior, profane discourse, or unnecessary noise, either within the place of worship or in close proximity to it.

Additionally, the bill would classify "disturbing a religious service" as a class 1 misdemeanor. This insertion would create a new legal framework for addressing disruptions during religious services, complementing existing laws related to disorderly conduct while specifically targeting behaviors that interfere with religious gatherings. The current law regarding disorderly conduct remains unchanged, but the new provisions would provide law enforcement with clearer guidelines for prosecuting offenses related to religious services.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-2931
House Engrossed Version: 13-2931