A Senate panel Thursday unanimously passed a bill that would ban protests at some funerals, though not all.
The bill by Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, a Fort Myers Republican, applies to services for members of the military, emergency workers, elected officials and minors.
Benacquisto said it would apply within 500 feet of the service one hour before and one hour after it.
"We really feel strongly that this bill strikes the best balance we can between protecting the First Amendment right to free speech but also giving the families the opportunity to say good-bye", said Benacquisto.
Representative Patrick Rooney has filed a similar bill that would ban protests at all funerals.
The issue has surfaced because a small Kansas church often stages funeral protests to tout its anti-gay views.