Lawmakers will introduce a bipartisan bill to penalize targeted residential picketing in the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee.

The legislation is drafted by Reps. Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, and Brooke Green, D-Boise, and aims to protect one’s privacy within the home, irrespective of their chosen profession.

The pair said targeted picketing applies to someone who demonstrates outside an individual’s residence or dwelling with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm. It wouldn’t apply to people whose homes function as their principal place of business.

“We saw this kind of behavior happen numerous times during the past year to elected officials and civil servants, alike. We can’t allow it to occur anymore. Intimidation isn’t a form of democratic expression; it’s mob rule,” Chaney said. “If you want to demonstrate, that’s fine — that’s American — but showing up in front of someone’s house to show them and their family they aren’t safe, crosses a major boundary.”

“The home is a person’s last place of retreat. It needs to remain that way,” Green added. “There is an appropriate way to engage in a civil or political disagreement, and this isn’t it.”