Right in the middle of the holiday season, the Nassau County legislature came together to approve a bill that, if signed into law, would add protection for people going to religious institutions from protestors.

The 'Religious Safety Act' prohibits demonstrating within 10 feet of a person entering or leaving a place of religious worship and within 35 feet of the entrance to a religious institution. The bill passed unanimously last night.

The 35-foot bubble only applies one hour before the start and one hour after the end of a scheduled religious service, lawmakers said.

"This local law, it's foremost and first a public safety initiative," Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Howard Kopel said. "Our goal is to safeguard the rights of Nassau County residents to enter and leave places of religious worship without intimidation, harassment, physical obstruction, or assault. This law takes us toward that goal."

The law would require police to give protestors a warning that they violated the law before taking further action.

The bill was first introduced by legislator Mazi Pilip, who represents Great Neck.

Pilip said she was motivated to act after a large protest outside Manhattan's Park East Synagogue last month.

"The goal of the Religious Safety Act is to keep Nassau County residents safe by establishing a reasonable distance that protestors must maintain for doorways, driveways and individuals coming to and leaving from their place of religious worship," Pilip said at last night's meeting.

Father Eric Fasano with the Diocese of Rockville Centre, which represents over 130 parishes across Long Island, told News 12 in a statement: "The free exercise of religion is among the most fundamental of human rights, granted to us by God. The Church is grateful for any opportunity to support and highlight that right. All people should feel safe to attend religious services without fear of intimidation or hindrance."

The bill now heads to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's desk for his signature.

Blakeman previously backed the bill and told News 12 in a statement: "Religious freedom is guaranteed under the constitution of the United States and whether it is a synagogue, church, temple, or mosque, Nassau County will not tolerate interference with people’s right to observe their religious worship.”