A broad coalition of religious leaders across California has voiced support for a measure that strengthens penalties for intentionally disrupting worship services. 

Introduced by state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in collaboration with The American Council, Senate Bill 1070 would update the state’s penal code, which currently classifies intentional disturbances of religious worship as a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

According to the bill text, existing law already makes intentional disturbances of worship a crime, and SB 1070 adds the option of felony penalties in addition to existing misdemeanor penalties. ​ 

The Protect Worship coalition — which includes clerical leaders from the Jewish, Islamic, Evangelical and Mormon religious communities — encouraged California lawmakers to advance SB 1070 and called on civic leaders across the state to stand together in support of the freedom to worship without disruption.

“Every faith tradition understands what is at stake when a sacred gathering is deliberately disrupted,” Tanner DiBella, president of The American Council, told The Christian Post. “Houses of worship should be places of reverence, safety and peace. Senate Bill 1070 is a measured step that protects the free exercise of religion by ensuring that intentional harassment and intimidation during worship carries meaningful mitigation.”

Faith leaders emphasized that the bill is not about policing disagreement or restricting lawful expression, but about addressing deliberate conduct that interferes with the order and solemnity of worship services.

"Freedom to worship is a cornerstone of our constitutional rights, protecting every person’s ability to practice their faith openly and without government interference,” said Pastor Erwin Guevara in a statement.

Religious leaders who have pledged to support SB 1070 include Calvary Chapel Chino Hills Pastor Jack Hibbs, Pastor Rob McCoy of Calvary Chapel Godspeak in Thousand Oaks, and gubernatorial candidate Pastor Che Ahn of Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena.

Other supporters of SB 1070, including groups like the California Family Council, argue such incidents demonstrate the need for graduated penalties to deter deliberate interference while preserving free speech rights outside sacred spaces. 

The bill — still in the early phases of the legislative process — follows a slate of high-profile church disruptions since January, including at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, a Southern Baptist congregation where protesters stormed a worship service to oppose one of the church's pastors who also serves as a local ICE official.

In addition to the Cities Church riot, there have been several documented incidents in California, including at The Mission Church in Carlsbad, where agitators were captured on video blocking entrances, using high-decibel sirens, shouting hostile slogans, and intimidating attendees.

Pastor JC Cooper, assistant pastor at The Mission Church in Carlsbad, testified before the Religious Liberty Commission meeting earlier this month about repeated disruptions at his congregation's interfaith services, most recently at a planned gathering with Jewish visitors at a pro-Israel church in California.

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/interfaith-group-backs-bill-to-protect-worship-services-in-calif.html