Minnesota Protest Inspires State Laws Protecting Worship: What to Know

Legislatures across the country are considering new worship-protection laws as lawmakers revisit existing trespassing statutes.

A statue of Paul Revere stands near Old North Church in Boston on April 8, 2026. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

A number of states have passed or considered laws protecting places of worship after protesters disrupting a church service in Minnesota gained national attention.

Legislators in four Republican-led states have either enacted or are near finalization of legislation that creates greater penalties for persons responsible for these types of disruptions.