Penalties increased in Ohio for disrupting a religious worship service

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A person who disrupts a religious worship service in Ohio can now spend up to 6 months in jail. 

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 504 into law earlier this month, increasing the penalty from a minor misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail. According to an analysis of the Bill, anyone individual “with the intent to disturb a religious worship services or using a computer, computer system, telecommunications system, or other electronic device or system to do so.

In November of 2022, following the passage of the Bill within the Ohio General Assembly, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) issued a statement in opposition to the Bill, citing that its passage is a threat to a person’s freedom of speech.  

“I am not here today to argue people have a First Amendment right to disturb meetings, whether they are religious-based or secular. I am here to, in part, caution HB 504 and the current law it builds upon contains such broad and vague language it will leave many wondering what is legal and protected by the First Amendment and what is not,” said a spokesperson for the ACLU in an online statement.  

The new guidelines go into effect 90 days from the time the Governor signed the Bill into law.