House Approves Funeral Protest Ban

Funeral protests still could occur under legislation approved by the House, but they would be held under strict regulations. The House has overwhelmingly approved keeping protestors at least 300 feet from a church or cemetery from one hour before to one hour after a funeral. The legislation is a response to a protest by the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, at the funeral of a St. Joseph soldier who died in Iraq. The group claims the deaths of soldiers are God’s judgment against America, because it tolerates homosexuality. The bill approved by the House is different from one approved earlier by the Senate. The two chambers will have to work out their differences before the bill goes to Governor Matt Blunt.