Filed on Wednesday, House Bill 626 could enable law enforcement to charge protesters in any legislative building with a Class A misdemeanor if they meet certain criteria. Under the bill, interference in the first degree is defined as the intent to disrupt, impede, or prevent the General Assembly from conducting business. Facilitate interference by others would also fall under the new law.
Subsequent offenses would result in a Class D felony charge. A peace officer would be required to make any arrests.
The move comes a year after vocal protests in both chambers over Senate Bill 150, a sweeping bill aimed at transgender youth.
Debates over the bill saw outbursts and chanting from the galleries above the House and Senate. More than a dozen protesters were arrested in the House and charged with criminal trespassing.
