Commissioner Malone asks committee to explore endorsing Florida-style "halo" law to protect first responders

Coffee County — Commissioner Malone presented a proposal March 30 asking the county to explore supporting a Florida statute that creates a buffer around active first-responder operations and authorizes misdemeanor enforcement if an observer does not comply after a warning.

Malone told the committee the Florida measure, enacted in January 2025 and informally called a "halo" law, establishes a 25-foot operational buffer for fire, EMS and law-enforcement personnel and requires officers to warn observers to step back before enforcement can occur. "This just simply applies to observers," Malone said, describing the law as aimed at people who have "no business being there all up in their face" while responders render aid.

Malone said the law exempts potential victims, witnesses and suspects and is intended to address harassment and obstruction of responders: "It's designed specifically for those active violent situations ... where an officer is in the middle of dealing with someone that may be in mental distress and they're focused," he said. He acknowledged concerns about free-speech or press protections and recommended the county seek legal review before endorsing any statewide proposal.

Committee members raised First Amendment and press-freedom questions and advised Malone to route the draft to the county attorney and the mayor for research and to craft precise endorsement language if the committee wants to proceed. The chair suggested forwarding the idea to the county attorney to identify any constitutional challenges flagged in Florida and to draft language the county could adopt if appropriate.

There was no formal vote to endorse statewide legislation at the meeting. The committee agreed to refer Malone's proposal for a legal review and to consider follow-up actions after the county attorney reports back.