Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires a permit to assemble and increases penalties for unlawful protest.

Highlights:

• Establishes that an individual shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if caught participating in the assembly of two or more individuals that convey any threat that is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive, and specifically directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action within a public convenience (Sec. 3).

• Establishes a prison term of between 1 and 5 years and/or a fine of between $1,000 and $5,000 for an individual who knowingly participates in the assembly of 7 or more individuals and commits violence or purposely or recklessly obstruct any highway or street in a way that renders it impassable (Sec. 3-4).

• Defines “public convenience” as the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 3):

• An inn, hotel, mote, or other place of lodging;

• A restaurant, bar, or other establishment serving food or drink;

• A motion picture house, theater, concert hall, stadium, or other place of entertainment;

• An auditorium, convention center, lecture hall, or other place of public gathering;

• A bakery, grocery store, clothing store, hardware store, or shopping center;

• A laundromat or dry cleaners;

• A terminal, depot, or other station;

• A museum, library, gallery, or other place of public display or collection;

• A zoo, amusement park, or other place of recreation;

• A nursery, elementary, secondary, undergraduate, or postgraduate public or private school or university; or

• A gymnasium, health spa, bowling alley, golf course, or other place of exercise.

• Defines “racketeering activity” to also mean to commit, attempt to commit, or to solicit, coerce, or intimidate another individual to commit any crime (Sec. 5).

• Requires each governing authority of a county or municipal corporation to establish and maintain an application process for the granting of permits to hold assemblies, including protests and rallies on public property and prohibits any fee from being required to attain an application to hold a protest or rally on public property  (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text