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WA SB5436
Bill
Status
3/3/2025
Primary Sponsor
Jesse Salomon
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AI Summary
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Creates a new criminal offense (gross misdemeanor) for willfully or recklessly interfering with access to places of worship immediately before, during, or after religious services
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Prohibits specific conduct including physically obstructing passage, trespassing, making repeated harassing phone calls or electronic communications, and threatening injury to owners, employees, attendees, or property
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Allows aggrieved individuals to recover up to $500 per day in civil damages, or up to $5,000 per day if the aggrieved party is the place of worship itself, plus actual damages, costs, and attorneys' fees
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Authorizes courts to issue temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief without bond to stop violations
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Explicitly protects lawful picketing and providing public information, and does not limit other available criminal or civil remedies
Legislative Description
Interfering with access to a place of religious worship.
Last Action
Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
3/2/2026