HB 662: Increase penalty for disturbing a lawful meeting in certain cases
This bill aims to increase penalties for disturbing a lawful meeting under certain circumstances. It prohibits individuals from obstructing or interfering with meetings, processions, or gatherings, and making utterances or displays that outrage the sensibilities of the group. The bill also addresses virtual meetings, making it a crime to disrupt or interfere with online religious gatherings. Violators can face increased penalties, including misdemeanor and felony charges, depending on the circumstances of the disturbance.
| Feb. 04, 2026 | Referred to committee: Judiciary |
| Jan. 29, 2026 | Introduced |
As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session 2025-2026
H. B. No. 662
Representatives Fischer, Newman
Cosponsors: Representatives Dean, Dovilla, Barhorst, Ritter, Santucci, Click, Salvo, Swearingen, King, Johnson, Lear, Creech, Mathews, T., Williams, Gross, Klopfenstein, Hall, T., Hiner, John, Robb Blasdel, Workman
To amend section 2917.12 of the Revised Code to increase the penalty for disturbing a lawful meeting under certain circumstances.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That section 2917.12 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 2917.12.
(A) No person, with purpose to prevent or disrupt a lawful meeting, procession, or gathering, shall do either of the following:
(1) Do any act which obstructs or interferes with the due conduct of such meeting, procession, or gathering;
(2) Make any utterance, gesture, or display which outrages the sensibilities of the group.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of disturbing a lawful meeting. Except as otherwise provided in this division, disturbing a lawful meeting is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Disturbing a lawful meeting is a misdemeanor felony of the first-fifth degree if either of the following applies:
(1) The violation is committed with the intent to disturb or disquiet any assemblage of people met for religious worship at a tax-exempt place of worship, regardless of whether the conduct is within the place at which the assemblage is held or is on the property on which that place is located and disturbs the order and solemnity of the assemblage.
(2) The violation is committed with the intent to prevent, disrupt, or interfere with a virtual meeting or gathering of people for religious worship, through use of a computer, computer system, telecommunications device, or other electronic device or system, or in any other manner.
(C) As used in this section:
(1) "Computer," "computer system," and "telecommunications device" have the same meanings as in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code.
(2) "Virtual meeting or gathering" means a meeting or gathering by interactive video conference or teleconference, or by a combination thereof.
Section 2. That existing section 2917.12 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.
H. B. No. 662
As Introduced
Page 2