Distance Requirement for Military Funeral Protests Advances

A bill that would require the controversial Westboro Baptist Church-- or anyone else who for some reason desires to protest a military funeral --to stand at least 500 feet away, was moved toward a third reading by the Senate Thursday.

SB 632 by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, expands on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed a 100-foot distance between military protesters and those involved with a military funeral.

The bill sets the distance from any residence, cemetery, funeral home or house of worship from one hour before to an hour after any burial or memorial service for a military service member, emergency response worker, elected official, or minor.

The House has already approved, in a 116-0 vote last week, a similar version of the bill by Rep. Pat Rooney, R-West Palm Beach.

The bill is aimed at groups such as the Topeka, Kan.-based church, which has held provocative, anti-gay protests at military funerals.

Both bills would make violating the distance requirement a misdemeanor.