Lead Sponsors: Representative Thomas Hall and Representative Phil Plummer
Status: Introduced (January 27, 2025)
Description: The bill creates a new criminal penalty for harassing an emergency service responder as a first-degree misdemeanor (generally punishable by up to six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine).
Harassing is defined as interfering with the responder's ability to perform their legal duty in a way that causes substantial emotional distress, or that interrupts, disrupts, hinders, impedes, or interferes with their ability to perform their duty.
If an individual receives a warning from the responder not to approach but the individual approaches or remains within fourteen feet of the responder, the individual can be arrested for harassment of an emergency service responder.
The bill defines "emergency service responder" as any law enforcement officer, first responder, emergency medical technician (basic, intermediate, or paramedic), firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or probation officer.
CCAO Position: No position (as of January 2025)