Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety First Responders topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears sponsor testimony on House Bill 20 to increase penalty for obstructing first responders
Summary
Sponsors said House Bill 20 would increase misdemeanor penalties for people who obstruct emergency responders at scenes, aiming to give first responders more space to work; no vote was taken.
Sponsors of House Bill 20 told the Senate Judiciary Committee the bill would raise misdemeanor penalties for obstructing first responders at emergency scenes to help emergency personnel work without interference.
Representative Hall (sponsor testimony introduced by Representative Plummer in part) told the committee HB20 is intended to give police, firefighters and EMS the space they need at incidents so responders can assess, treat and transport patients safely. Plummer said the bill increases the penalty for obstructing official business from lower-level misdemeanors to a first-degree misdemeanor for repeat or aggravated conduct and stressed the intention is to give responders a clear warning before arrest.
Plummer said the measure is not intended to prohibit people from recording incidents, but to ensure they do not interfere with life-saving efforts or investigations. No member requested a roll-call vote and the committee held HB20 as a first hearing.
