HB 75 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0075-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to impeding, threatening, or harassing 2
first responders; creating s. 843.31, F.S.; providing 3
definitions; specifying that peaceful recording or 4
observation is not harassment; prohibiting approaching 5
a first responder or remaining within a specified 6
distance of such person with the intent to impede, 7
threaten, or harass or physically prevent the person 8
from performing lawful duties after receiving a 9
warning not to approach; providing criminal penalties; 10
providing an effective date. 11
12
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 13
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Section 1. Section 843.31, Florida Statutes, is created to 15
read: 16
843.31 Approaching a first responder after a warning with 17
the intent to impede, threaten, or harass or physically prevent 18
the first responder from performing lawful duties. — 19
(1) As used in this section, the term: 20
(a) "First responder" includes a law enforcement officer 21
as defined in s. 943.10(1), a firefighter as defined in s. 22
784.07(1), and an emergency medical care provider as defined in 23
s. 784.07(1). 24
(b) "Harass" means to willfully engage in a course of 25
HB 75 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0075-00
Page 2 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
conduct directed at a first responder which intentionally causes 26
substantial emotional distress in that first responder and 27
serves no legitimate purpose. The peaceful audio or video 28
recording or eyewitness observing of a first responder is a 29
legitimate purpose that does not constitute harassment. 30
(2)(a) It is unlawful for a person, a fter receiving a 31
verbal warning not to approach from a person he or she knows or 32
reasonably should know is a first responder, who is engaged in 33
the lawful performance of a legal duty, to knowingly and 34
willfully violate such warning and continue to approach or 35
remain within 20 feet of the first responder with the intent to: 36
1. Interrupt, disrupt, hinder, impede, or interfere with 37
the first responder's ability to perform such duty; 38
2. Threaten the first responder or physically prevent the 39
first responder from performing his or her lawful duties; or 40
3. Harass the first responder. 41
(b) A person who violates this subsection commits a 42
misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 43
775.082 or s. 775.083. 44
Section 2. This act shall take eff ect October 1, 2024. 45