Judiciary panel advances 'Halo' bill to create 25‑foot buffer for first responders; debate centers on definitions and free‑speech risks

Representative Bridal (subcommittee sponsor) described H4763 as a narrowly tailored 'Halo' bill that would make it unlawful for a person to remain within or refuse to vacate a 25‑foot area after a lawful verbal warning from a first responder engaged in a lawful duty if the person knowingly and willfully violates that warning with intent to interfere, threaten or harass. The penalty in the introduced bill is a misdemeanor capped at $500 or 60 days in jail.

"The halo bill is a bill that provides that it is unlawful for a person to enter or to refuse to vacate a 25 foot area that is being after being verbally warned to do so by a first responder who is in a lawful performance of a legal duty," Bridal said in opening remarks explaining elements that trigger enforcement: (1) responder engaged in lawful duty, (2) verbal warning, (3) knowing and willful violation with intent to interfere, threaten or harass.

Supporters argued the measure is a proactive tool to keep emergency medical personnel, firefighters and law enforcement safe while they work, and the bill was modeled in part on similar statutes in other states. Representative Landing cited a hospital association report alleging workplace‑violence incidents in hospitals and said the bill protects medical staff attending to patients.

Opponents and cautious members, including Representative Bamberg and Representative Henderson Myers, pressed for clearer definitions of "impede," "interfere," and "harass," raised concerns about charging people with misdemeanors for actions that have legitimate purposes (recording, witness statements, or family members trying to protect someone), and warned of potential First Amendment and press‑freedom challenges. Representative Lott asked what standard limits misuse by first responders; Representative Luck and others urged that triggering circumstances be constrained to emergency situations where seconds matter.

Bridal and other supporters said the bill limits liability by requiring the responder to be engaged in lawful duty, a warning to have been given, and mens rea (knowing and willful violation) after the warning. The committee took a roll call and reported H4763 favorably; the chair announced the result (reported in the transcript as 15 in favor, 1 opposed, and 6 not voting). Members indicated they expect further drafting and floor amendments — especially to add clearer definitions and carve‑outs for mental‑health incidents and press activity — before final passage.