DEMONSTRATIONS AT FUNERALS S.B. 1256: FLOOR SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 1256 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Roger Kahn, M.D.
Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs

CONTENT
The bill would amend Public Act 152 of 2006, which authorizes local units of government to pass ordinances regulating activity within 500 feet of the location of a funeral service, to refer to 500 feet of the property line.


Specifically, a local unit of government (a city, village, township, or county) may pass ordinances it considers necessary to protect and preserve the peace and respect toward those attending or conducting a funeral or memorial service. An ordinance may contain provisions the local unit considers necessary, including prohibiting any person from doing any of the following within 500 feet of a building or other location where a funeral, memorial service, burial, or viewing of a deceased person is being conducted or within 500 feet of a funeral procession in the hour immediately before, during, or in the two hours immediately following:

-- Making loud and raucous noise and continuing to do so after being asked to stop.
-- Making any statement or gesture that would make a reasonable person under the circumstances feel intimidated, threatened, or harassed.
-- Engaging in any other conduct that the person knows or should reasonably know will disturb, disrupt, or adversely affect the funeral, memorial service, viewing of the deceased person, funeral procession, or burial.


Under the bill, an ordinance could prohibit a person from doing the above within 500 feet of the property line of a building or other location specified above.


MCL 123.1113 Legislative Analyst: Craig Laurie

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.


Date Completed: 4-23-08 Fiscal Analyst: David Zin

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb1256/0708