A new South Dakota law increasing penalties for disrupting religious worship services took effect July 1.
Senate Bill 113, introduced at the request of Gov. Larry Rhoden, makes it a felony to intentionally disrupt a religious worship service.
According to the governor’s office, the legislation was proposed following what Rhoden described as an assault on religious freedom in Minnesota earlier this year.
State officials said the measure is designed to provide stronger legal protections for congregations and religious gatherings by increasing the consequences for individuals who deliberately interfere with worship services.
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