Washington state Legislature passes funeral protest law

[quillhill]

Working on a story about this, but wanted to share the press release. By the way, Gov. Gregoire is supposed to sign this bill into law tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 2).

Anyway, I thought y'all might be interested in this.


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Grieving families in Washington may soon be assured privacy to mourn, and their fallen loved ones may finally be able to rest in peace, following Senate passage today of House Bill 1168. The Washington Rest in Peace Act, which would prohibit protests within 500 feet of funerals, gained approval in the Senate, 42-1, is on its way to the governor for her signature into law.

The bill's prime sponsor, Rep. Dan Roach, said he and veterans across the state were counting on passage of the measure this year after the legislation became entangled in last-minute political maneuvering during the 2006 session and subsequently died.

“Passage of the Washington Rest in Peace Act is a big victory for the citizens of Washington, and especially for our veterans,” said Roach, R-Bonney Lake.

"Every time an obstacle got in the way of this bill, somehow we were able to overcome it," he added. "That's a credit to every veteran, every family of a soldier, and every citizen who wrote, called and e-mailed with their support. And this year, there were many people on both sides of the aisle in the House and the Senate who got behind this measure and worked hard to make sure that it would be the very first bill to pass the 2007 Legislature.”

The measure was sparked last year by protests conducted by a hate group at the funerals of military veterans in Yakima, Kirkland and Renton. It was brought to Roach’s attention by Vietnam veteran Chuck Lawrence of Bonney Lake, who witnessed two of the protests. Since the 2006 session, 12 other funerals throughout the Pacific Northwest have been impacted. Roach said that was 12 too many.

“Passage of this bill sends a message to protesters that they are not welcome to conduct this heinous act in the faces of families mourning at funerals. It also places us in line with other states in the nation that have adopted similar legislation and removes Washington as a target state for funeral protests," noted Roach.

The measure would amend the state’s disorderly conduct statute to include intentionally engaging in fighting or tumultuous conduct, or making unreasonable noise, within 500 feet of:

• the location where a funeral or burial is being performed;
• a funeral home during the viewing of a deceased person;
• a building in which a funeral or memorial service is being conducted; or
• a funeral procession, if the person engaging in the protest knows that the procession is taking place.

Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor under the proposed new law. Roach said the measure was crafted carefully so that it would not become entangled in a Constitutional challenge.

“I worked very hard to ensure that we do not infringe on the Constitutional rights to assemble and of free speech. This bill was carefully constructed to maintain those rights, but at the same time, respect the basic human rights of mourning a loved one,” added Roach. “It is an honor to bring this bill before the Legislature so that we can assure protections for families in their grieving processes.”

The measure is being sent to Gov. Christine Gregoire for her consideration. She has five days (excluding Sundays) from the time she receives the bill to take action.

[capmarine]

good for them.

[Osotogary]

A National law of this nature be fine with me as well. Do the words "fallen loved ones" pertain to only those fallen in the service of the United States or is the term for anyone who has passed on?

[quillhill]

It protects everyone, but its genesis is from funerals of troops in Washington state protested by a hate group.

Oh, and it's my understanding there is already a national law that protects funerals held at federal cemeteries, like Tahoma National Cemetery, which is in my coverage area (where Cpl. Bier is buried).

[jinelson]

To bad the whimps in Washington dont have the guts to make this federal law.

Jim