Following the recent Supreme Court’s determination that the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church’s demonstrations at military funerals are protected by the First Amendment right to free speech, lawmakers are considering bills that would both address the constitutional issue and protect grieving families of fallen service members. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, sponsored the Senate measure, S. 815; Rep. Charles F. Bass, R-N.H., sponsored H.R. 1591 before the House.
* The "quiet time" before and after military funerals to 120 minutes from 60 minutes;
* The buffer around military funeral services to 300 feet from 150 feet;
* The buffer around access routes to funeral service areas to 500 feet from 300 feet,
* And the civil penalties for violators.
