Committee hears bill to create 14-foot buffer around emergency scenes

Representatives Thomas Hall and Phil Plummer introduced House Bill 20 in the House Public Safety Committee, asking lawmakers to create a 14-foot buffer zone around emergency scenes and to make knowingly refusing to yield that space a misdemeanor.

The bill, sponsors said, is intended to protect police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel who arrive at high-risk scenes and may not have time to set a perimeter. "This legislation is simply providing the first the first responders the ability and opportunity to do their jobs more effectively and remain focused on the incident at hand," Representative Thomas Hall said. Representative Phil Plummer added, "Just give us 14 feet to do our jobs, and we will work on the other issues."

Sponsors described the proposal as limited in scope: officers and EMS would warn the public and, if bystanders did not comply, could make an immediate arrest for the newly created misdemeanor. The sponsors said the bill aims to address people who impede patient care or interfere with extrication and cited a Florida law that sets a larger buffer.

Committee members pressed sponsors for precise definitions and enforcement mechanics. Representative Brent asked what "reasonable fear" means in practice and how complaints or charges would be handled; sponsors answered that the bill envisions warnings first and, if warnings fail, immediate arrest or later review of video evidence. Committee members also asked whether the measure would cover protesters; sponsors replied it would apply if individuals were violent or interfering.

Several members suggested changes. Representative Humphrey and others questioned whether a new measure is necessary when an obstruction-of-official-business statute already exists; ranking member Thomas, a former police officer, said officers already can arrest for obstruction if they can articulate interference. Sponsors said they discussed the idea with the Prosecutor Association and were open to amendments that would clarify scope and penalties (for example, whether to classify the offense as an M-1 or reduce it to an M-2).

Members also raised civil‑liberties and prosecutorial‑discretion concerns. Representative Brewer warned that the bill could catch bystanders trying to intervene in apparent wrongdoing; sponsors pointed to officer discretion and the courts as safeguards. Representative Brent asked whether officers would be required to announce the law at the scene; sponsors said they were open to working with the committee on such language.

The committee did not vote. Chairwoman Abrams said committee staff and the sponsors will work on revisions and potential amendments in subsequent meetings.