PIERRE, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- The South Dakota House Judiciary Committee on Monday heard testimony on HB1124.  The bill establish the crime of trespass upon a place of worship, provide a penalty therefor, and declare an emergency.

Prime sponsor of the bill is District 3 Representative Brandei Schaefbauer.

Schaefbauer wrote the bill based on what happened in St. Paul, MN earlier this year.

Schaefbauer put an amendment to the bill addressing distance from the churches.

Among those opposing the bill include Sam Matson with the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association.  He talks about the concerns with first amendment rights.

Also opposing the bill was Cash Anderson, lobbyist for the Association of Criminal Defense who address concern about how to prosecute speech.

Schaefbauer rubuted those claims.

The committee passed the bill on a 7-4 vote and now moves on to the South Dakota House.