Snyder Signs Bills To Clarify Funeral Protest Law
LANSING (AP) - Legislation intended to clarify Michigan's law banning protests at funerals has been approved by Gov. Rick Snyder.
The Republican governor signed the bills this week after the legislation received broad bipartisan support in the Legislature earlier this month.
The bills prohibit conduct, statements or gestures that would make a "reasonable person" attending the funeral or memorial service feel intimidated, threatened or harassed.
The changes could help clarify Michigan's 2006 law prohibiting funeral protests, sparked by protests at military funerals. A federal judge last year ruled that part of the law was vague, broad and unconstitutional.
The case involved a couple pulled out of a soldier's funeral procession and arrested in 2007 because signs in their van criticized President George W. Bush.
Charges were dropped and Clare County agreed to pay a settlement in the case.
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