State Rep. Karl Bohnak today cast a key vote to secure House passage of Halo legislation to protect first responders and prevent people from distracting, impeding or harassing emergency personnel who are serving their communities.

Bohnak said police officers and first responders are increasingly being put in danger by bad actors who harass or interfere with them while they are doing their jobs. He voted to give law enforcement officers an additional option when people continue to harass or interfere with first responders even after they’re warned not to approach.

“First responders are already tasked with highly stressful and complicated work, and that’s before bystanders begin to get too close and impede on emergency services,” said Bohnak, R-Deerton. “In these unfortunate circumstances, first responders issue direct orders for onlookers to stay back and give space so they can do their jobs. Even more sad, some people choose to ignore those orders and obstruct first responders anyway. I’m glad to support legislation that criminalizes the blatant disregard for first responders’ direction, putting all involved in these tense situations at risk.”

House Bills 5574-5576 would create a new state crime for approaching or harassing first responders doing their jobs after being warned 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.

“It’s important to note that this legislation does not stop anyone from recording, voicing concerns, or anything else protected under the First Amendment,” Bohnak said. “The point here is ensuring members of the public stay back far enough for first responders to safely do their jobs.”

A person found guilty of the new crime would face up to 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 up to two years imprisonment and a fine not greater than $2,000. Someone in violation that causes the death of an officer would face up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine not greater than $7,500.

The legislation passed the House with significant bipartisan support and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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