Halo bills would criminalize harassing first responders engaged in their duties

State Rep. Mike Harris today secured committee support for his Halo plan to protect first responders by expressly criminalizing harassing or unlawfully approaching first responders actively engaged in their duties after receiving a verbal warning not to approach.

“Our Halo legislation would protect first responders and the people they are trying to help during emergencies and rapidly evolving situations,” said Harris, R-Waterford. “Whether it is a police officer attempting to take a violent suspect into custody, firefighters operating near a burning structure, paramedics rendering life-saving care on the side of a roadway, or corrections officers responding to disturbances inside a facility, these environments are often tense, dangerous, and unpredictable.

“First responders must remain focused on the emergency in front of them, the safety threats around them, and the individuals they are trying to protect or assist. When someone intentionally ignores lawful warnings and inserts themselves into those situations, it creates unnecessary danger for everyone involved.”

House Bills 5574-5576 would create a new state crime for approaching or harassing first responders doing their jobs after being issued a verbal warning to stay back. A person would be guilty of the new crime if they, after receiving a verbal warning to stay back, choose to approach and remain within 25 feet of a professional clearly engaged in their work as a first responder. A person would also be guilty should they choose to impede or interfere with the first responder’s ability to do their job, threaten the first responder with physical harm, or harass the first responder.

“Our plan establishes a reasonable safety buffer after a clear warning has been given,” Harris said. “It does not prohibit observation, criticism, or constitutionally protected activity. People absolutely have the right to record public officials, observe emergency scenes from a safe distance, and express disagreement.

“Emergency scenes are not controlled environments. A distraction of even a few seconds can change the outcome entirely. If first responders are forced to divide their attention between managing a crisis and dealing with individuals crowding or escalating the situation, it can delay medical care, compromise scene security, and increase the likelihood that someone gets seriously injured or killed.”

A person found guilty of the new crime would face no more than 60 days in jail or a fine not greater than $500 for a basic violation. Someone who violates the act and causes injury to the first responder would face no more than 2 years imprisonment and a fine not greater than $2,000. Someone in violation that causes the death of an officer would face no more than 15 years imprisonment and a fine not greater than $7,500.

“This effort is also about protecting the public,” Harris said. “People who insert themselves into active emergency scenes may not understand the dangers around them, whether it is traffic, weapons, fire conditions, hazardous materials, or emotionally volatile individuals. Our legislation creates clear expectations and reasonable consequences for those who intentionally interfere after being warned.”

The legislation passed the House Judiciary Committee with unanimous support and now moves to the House floor for further consideration.

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