Ohio sponsors seek 14-foot “halo” around emergency scenes to protect responders

Representatives Thomas Hall and Phil Plummer told the Ohio House Public Safety Committee on March 12 that House Bill 20 would create a 14-foot “halo” or buffer around active emergency scenes and make interference with responders a misdemeanor.

“We are not saying that people, bystanders cannot be helpful. We are not saying that people cannot record the event,” Representative Thomas Hall said in sponsor testimony. “This legislation is simply providing the first responders the ability and opportunity to do their jobs more effectively and remain focused on the incident at hand.”

Plummer, his joint sponsor, summarized the proposal in blunt terms: “Just give us 14 feet to do our jobs,” he said, adding that the bill would include a warning requirement before enforcement.

Why it matters: Sponsors said bystanders and…