Committee approves 'halo' bill requiring 25-foot space for first responders; adds step-grandparent to OCGA incest list

Senate Bill 268, which would require bystanders to remain at least 25 feet away from active first-responder scenes, passed the House Judiciary committee by voice vote after a brief discussion and a technical amendment that added related family-status language from a separate bill.

The measure, described on the floor as a commonly called “halo bill,” directs people to keep back 25 feet while not restricting their ability to record or speak. Senator Robertson, who summarized the bill to the committee, said the 25-foot rule is intended to prevent harassment of first responders and to give emergency personnel room to load and transport people who need medical care.

Committee members also inserted language from House Bill 57 expanding the list in OCGA 16-6-22(a)(4) — the statute listing family relationships prohibited from certain sexual contact — to include step-grandparents and step-grandchildren. Committee leadership said that addition had been considered in previous biennia and was retained in the committee amendment.

Representative Holly asked whether the 25-foot requirement remained in the bill; committee staff and lawmakers confirmed the provision was left intact and that the statutory language includes a requirement that a person be advised when they are within the restricted distance so that free-speech rights would not be unduly impeded.

No roll-call vote was requested. The chair called for all in favor, members said “aye,” and the measure was advanced to the rules committee.

The meeting included judges and other invited attendees; ceremonial remarks and an opening prayer preceded discussion of the bills.