Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia SB591: Offenses Against Public Order; the disruption of a religious service; prohibit
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, so as to prohibit the disruption of a religious service; to provide for enhanced penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, so as to prohibit the disruption of a religious service; to provide for enhanced penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, so as to prohibit the disruption of a religious service; to provide for enhanced penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, is amended by revising Code Section 16-11-34.2, relating to disorderly or disruptive conduct at any funeral or memorial service, as follows: "16-11-34.2. (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'religious service' means any public assembly of persons for worship, religious observance, or other religious purpose. (a)(b) The General Assembly declares that the interest of persons in planning, participating in, and attending a religious service, or a funeral or memorial service for a deceased relative or loved one, without unwanted impediment, disruption, disturbance, or interference is a substantial interest and the General Assembly further recognizes the need S. B. LC 63 0053 to impose content neutral time, place, and manner restrictions on unwanted acts carried out with the intent to impede, disrupt, disturb, or interfere with such religious service, funeral, or …
Sponsors
- Deborah Silcox (R, 53) · primary sponsor
- Steve Gooch (R, 51) · primary sponsor
- Jason Anavitarte (R, 31)
- Larry Walker (R, 20)
- Carden Summers (R, 13)
- Drew Echols (R, 49)
- Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
- Randy Robertson (R, 29)
- John Albers (R)
- Russ Goodman (R, 8)
- Frank Ginn (R, 47)
- Timothy Bearden (R, 30)
Latest actions
- : Effective Date
- : Act 626
- : Senate Date Signed by Governor
- : Senate Sent to Governor
- : House Passed/Adopted
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
- : Senate Passed/Adopted
Votes
- House Vote #826 (March 31, 2026): 128 yea, 39 nay, passed
- Senate Vote #674 (March 6, 2026): 39 yea, 13 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB591?
- SB591 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Offenses Against Public Order; the disruption of a religious service; prohibit.
- What does SB591 do?
- In its own words: To amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, so as to prohibit the disruption of a religious service; to provide for enhanced penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of SB591?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Effective Date (July 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB591?
- Deborah Silcox (R, 53), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB591?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73654
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.