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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
disturbing religious services; worship
Purpose
Establishes the criminal classification of disturbing a religious service, which a person commits by knowingly disturbing or disquieting any assemblage of persons who have met for religious worship. Classifies disturbing a religious service as a class 1 misdemeanor.
Background
A person commits disorderly conduct when, with intent to disturb the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, family or person, or with knowledge of doing so, such person: 1) engages in fighting, violent or seriously disruptive behaviors; 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; 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; or 5) refuses to obey a lawful order to disperse issued to maintain public safety in dangerous proximity to a fire, hazard or any other emergency. The aforementioned forms of disorderly conduct are classified as a class 1 misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-2904).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Establishes the criminal classification of disturbing a religious service, which a person commits by knowingly disturbing or disquieting any assemblage of persons who have met for religious worship by means of indecent behavior, profane discourse or unnecessary noise in the place where a religious service is held or so near it as to disturb the order and solemnity of the religious service.
2. Classifies disturbing a religious service as a class 1 misdemeanor.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
JUD 2/11/26 DP 7-2-0-0
3rd
Read 2/26/26 34-20-6
3rd Read* 2/26/26 34-19-7
*on reconsideration
Prepared by Senate Research
March 16, 2026
ZD/MY/ci