Louisiana SB306: RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS/LIBERTIES: Creates the crime of obstruction of the freedom of worship in a church or other place of worship. (gov sig)

What the bill says

An act To enact R.S. 14:38.6, relative to offenses affecting the free exercise of religion; to create the crime of obstruction or interference with the freedom of worship at a church or other place of worship; to provide for conduct that constitutes the offense; to provide for penalties; to provide for definitions; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for legislative purposes; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT To enact R.S. 14:38.6, relative to offenses affecting the free exercise of religion; to create the crime of obstruction or interference with the freedom of worship at a church or other place of worship; to provide for conduct that constitutes the offense; to provide for penalties; to provide for definitions; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for legislative purposes; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 14:38.6 is hereby enacted to read as follows: §38.6. Obstruction of the freedom of worship in a church or other place of worship A. No person shall obstruct or interfere with the freedom of worship in a church or other place of worship by committing any of the following offenses: (1) Using force, the threat of force, physical obstruction, intentional injury, or attempted intentional injury, to intimidate or interfere with any person lawfully exercising or seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of the free exercise of religion at a church or other place of worship. Page 1 of Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SLS 26RS-349 ORIGINAL SB NO. (2) Intentionally damaging or destroying the property of a church or other …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Edmonds, Rick (R, 6) · primary sponsor
• Allain, Robert (R, 21)
• Bass, Adam (R, 36)
• Cathey Jr., Stewart (R, 33)
• Connick, Patrick (R, 8)
• Fesi, Michael (R, 20)
• Foil, Franklin (R, 16)
• Henry, Cameron (R, 9)
• Hodges, Valarie (R, 13)
• Lambert, Eddie (R, 18)
• McMath, Patrick (R, 11)
• Miguez, Blake (R, 22)

Latest actions

1. May 22, 2026: Effective date 5/22/2026.
2. May 22, 2026: Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 379.
3. May 20, 2026: Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.
4. May 19, 2026: Signed by the Speaker of the House.
5. May 19, 2026: Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.
6. May 18, 2026: Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 31 yeas and 5 nays.
7. May 11, 2026: Received from the House with amendments.
8. May 11, 2026: Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 75, nays 20. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
9. May 7, 2026: Scheduled for floor debate on 05/11/2026.
10. May 6, 2026: Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

Votes

• Senate Vote on SB 306, CONCUR (#907) (May 18, 2026): 31 yea, 5 nay, passed
• House Vote on SB 306, FINAL PASSAGE (#1128) (May 11, 2026): 75 yea, 20 nay, passed
• Senate Vote on SB 306, FINAL PASSAGE (#88) (March 23, 2026): 27 yea, 8 nay, passed
• Senate Vote on SB 306, CO-AUTHORS (#89) (March 23, 2026): 21 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB306?

SB306 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS/LIBERTIES: Creates the crime of obstruction of the freedom of worship in a church or other place of worship. (gov sig).

What does SB306 do?

In its own words: An act To enact R.S. 14:38.6, relative to offenses affecting the free exercise of religion; to create the crime of obstruction or interference with the freedom of worship at a church or other place of worship; to provide for conduct that constitutes the offense; to provide for penalties; to provide for definitions; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for legislative purposes; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.

What is the status of SB306?

Signed into law as of May 22, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 5/22/2026. (May 22, 2026).

Who sponsored SB306?

Edmonds, Rick (R, 6), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB306?

On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=SB306