ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session Majority Research Staff
	House: JUD DP 7-2-0-0 | Third Read 34-19-7-0 Senate: JUDE DPA/SE 4-3-0-0 | Third Read 18-11-1-0

---

HB 4117: disturbing religious services; worship

NOW: interfering with a religious service

Sponsor: Representative Martinez, LD 16

Senate Engrossed

The House Engrossed version of HB 4117 makes it unlawful to disturb a religious service with indecent behavior, profane discourse or unnecessary noise, classifying it as a class 1 misdemeanor.

The Senate adopted a strike-everything amendment that does the following:

Overview

Makes it unlawful to interfere with a religious service by obstructing or impeding another person's ability to enter or exit a place of religious worship or by engaging in disorderly conduct that disrupts a religious service or activity.

History

A.R.S. Title 13, Chapter 29 outlines the elements, penalties and classification for offenses against public order such as unlawful assembly, riot, disorderly conduct, loitering, aggressive solicitation, harassment, public nuisance and other offenses that disturb public order.

A person commits disorderly conduct, a class 1 misdemeanor, if they, with intent to disturb the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, family or person, or with knowledge of doing so:

1) engages in fighting, violent or seriously disruptive behavior;

2) makes unreasonable noise;

3) uses abusive or offensive language or gestures to any person present in a manner likely to provoke immediate physical retaliation by such person; or

4) makes any protracted commotion, utterance or display with the intent to prevent the transaction of the business of a lawful meeting, gathering or procession (A.R.S. § 13-2904).

Provisions

1. Establishes that a person commits disturbing a religious service if he, without legal authority, intentionally interferes with a religious service or activity by intentionally:

a. obstructing another person's ability to enter or exit a place of religious worship; or

b. making any protracted commotion that disrupts a religious service or activity. (Sec. 1)

2. Makes disturbing a religious service as a class 1 misdemeanor generally and a class 6 felony if:

a. the person has been previously convicted of disturbing a religious service;

b. the person used force, threats or intimidation during the offense; or

c. the person acts together with two or more other persons to obstruct another person's ability to enter or exit a place of religious worship. (Sec. 1)

3. Clarifies that this legislation does not apply to peaceful picketing, protesting or other expressive activity or a law enforcement officer, first responder or other authorized person who is acting within the scope of the person's official duties. (Sec. 1)

4. Defines pertinent terms. (Sec. 1)

---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

Initials NM/NP                      HB 4117

4/7/2026          Page 0 Senate Engrossed

---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------