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Lawmakers OK Limits On Protests At Calif. Military Funerals

SACRAMENTO (CBS) — Protesters at military funerals in California will have to keep their distance after a bill sponsored by a Southland lawmaker was passed in the state capitol.

In an overwhelming 72-0 vote, the Assembly approved the bill that will keep protesters at least 1,000 feet away from funerals for soldiers and other military personnel.

KNX 1070's Kim Marriner reports the legislation will go to Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature after the State Senate fixes some minor amendments.

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State Senator Ted Leiu of Torrance authored the bill in response to a series of protests at military funerals by the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist church, who contend the deaths are God's punishment for the military tolerating homosexuality.

The legal challenge ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled the group has a constitutional right to protest.

The newly-passed California rule agrees with the ruling, but adds that protesters must stay more than the length of three football fields away.

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