AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Legislation prompted by anti-homosexual demonstrations at soldiers’ funerals received final approval in the Maine Senate on Tuesday and was sent to Gov. John Baldacci. The bill would take effect immediately upon Baldacci’s signature.

If the bill becomes law, Maine will become the latest state to take action in response to demonstrations by the Westboro Baptist Church, the Topeka, Kan.-based church that preaches that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq because of the nation’s tolerance of homosexuality.

The bill sponsored by Sen. David Hastings III, R-Fryeburg, would make it a crime to accost, insult, taunt or challenge any person attending a funeral, burial or memorial service.

Hastings said he was prompted to introduce the bill after members of the Westboro church threatened to show up at the funeral in March for a soldier from his district, Army Sgt. Corey Dan of Norway, who died in Iraq. The protesters never showed.