The Utah Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union believes the bill is too broad because it restricts protests of churches and medical facilities statewide in order to deal with one particular situation.

"There is a history of volatility in one place and not statewide," said ACLU Executive Director Dani Eyer.

Eyer said the ACLU is torn over the law because on one hand it protects the freedom to practice religion while on the other it raises freedom of speech issues.

"We're pretty conflicted about it," Eyer said.

Much like women seeking abortion counseling, Aagard said, people attending religious functions have a right to be protected against someone who wants to "get in a person's face."

"Abortion is a deep personal conviction just as religion is a deep personal conviction," Aagard said.

When asked by committee members why the law would encompass all such facilities statewide, as opposed to focusing on Temple Square, Aagard said, "You never know what the future will bring."

Several committee members, including Rep. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem, who moved to pass the bill on to the House floor, expressed strong support for the bill.

Rep. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, who voted against the bill, expressed concern, adding Salt Lake City and Mayor Rocky Anderson's time-place-and-manner system deals with the issue.

"I do not condone hate speech," Romero said, "but I think this bill goes a little too far."

The bill will now move to the House floor for debate.

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