In addition to several other bills on fracking and workers comp, the North Carolina Senate passed a funeral protest bill on Wednesday. From WRAL’s N.C. State Capitol Bureau:
Also Wednesday, the Senate passed a bill that would increase the penalties for those who protest and create disturbances at military funerals.
House Bill 19Â was drawn up in response to groups such as the Westboro Baptist Church, which has often created disturbances at military funerals to promote an anti-gay message. The legislation expands the buffer areas around military funerals and makes second and third offenses a felony.
As it did in the House, the bill received unanimous approval in the Senate and was sent to Gov. Pat McCrory. His staff said Wednesday that he supports the measure.