Last year, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed a bill restricting protests at funerals before a eclectic, happy crowd of veterans, gays and lesbians and motorcyclists.
This go round, the governor noted the signing in a press release.
The Legislature had to pass the restrictions again because the Supreme Court ruled the earlier attempt invalid. That's because lawmakers worried about Constitutional challenges didn't want to pay the legal fees of the Westboro Baptist Church - the target of the restrictions - should its potential challenge prevail. So they inserted a provision requiring court approval of the law before it could be enforced. The court didn't like that last part.
So lawmakers quickly printed up a new bill, removed the "judicial trigger" and sent it on to Sebelius.
“I appreciate the legislature moving swiftly on this issue so we can protect the privacy of families in their time of mourning,” she said in her release today. “As we honor the memories of those Kansans who we’ve lost, we wish to shield their families from the despicable and disgraceful displays of those seeking publicity.”
The bill bans protests within 150 feet of a funeral one hour before to two hours after the service. Violators are subject to fines and jail time.
