25 LC 56 0346
Senate Bill 268
By: Senators Robertson of the 29th, Gooch of the 51st, Albers of the 56th, Bearden of the
30th and Payne of the 54th
AS PASSED SENATE
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
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relating to offenses against public order, so as to provide for the crime of interference with2
a first responder; to provide for penalties; to provide for definitions; to provide for related3
matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5
SECTION 1.6
Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to7
offenses against public order, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows: 8
"16-11-46.
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(a) As used in this Code section, the term:10
(1) 'First responder' means any person or agency who provides on-site care until the11
arrival of a duly licensed ambulance service. This shall include, but not be limited to,12
persons who routinely respond to calls for assistance through an affiliation with law13
enforcement agencies, fire suppression agencies, rescue agencies, and others.14
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(2) 'Harass' means to willfully engage in any conduct directed at a first responder which15
intentionally causes substantial emotional distress in that first responder and serves no16
legitimate purpose.17
(b) A person commits the offense of interference with a first responder when he or she,18
after receiving a verbal warning not to approach from a person he or she knows or19
reasonably should know is a first responder, who is engaged in the lawful performance of20
a legal duty, knowingly and willfully violates such warning and approaches or remains21
within 25 feet of the first responder with the intent to:22
(1) Impede or interfere with the first responder's ability to perform such duty;23
(2) Threaten the first responder with physical harm; or24
(3) Harass the first responder.25
(c) A person convicted pursuant to this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of26
a high and aggravated nature."27
SECTION 2.28
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.29
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