HLS 23RS-498 REENGROSSED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 85
BY REPRESENTATIVE MIKE JOHNSON
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
CRIME/MISDEMEANOR: Creates the crime of approaching a law enforcement officer
lawfully engaged in law enforcement duties
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 14:109, relative to offenses affecting law enforcement; to create the crime of
3 approaching a law enforcement officer lawfully engaged in law enforcement duties;
4 to provide for a definition; to provide for penalties; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 14:109 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง109. Approaching a law enforcement officer lawfully engaged in law enforcement
9 duties
10 A. No person shall knowingly or intentionally approach within twenty-five
11 feet of a law enforcement officer who is lawfully engaged in the execution of his
12 official duties after the law enforcement officer has ordered the person to stop
13 approaching or to retreat.
14 B. For the purposes of this Section, "law enforcement officer" means any
15 commissioned police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, marshal, deputy marshal,
16 correctional officer, probation and parole officer, constable, wildlife enforcement
17 agent, livestock brand inspector, forestry officer, or state park warden.
18 C. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more
19 than five hundred dollars, imprisoned for not more than sixty days, or both.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-498 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 85
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 85 Reengrossed 2023 Regular Session Mike Johnson
Abstract: Creates the crime of approaching a law enforcement officer who is lawfully
engaged in his law enforcement duties and provides for penalties.
Proposed law provides that no person shall knowingly or intentionally approach within 25
feet of a law enforcement officer who is lawfully engaged in the execution of his official
duties after the law enforcement officer has ordered a person to stop approaching or to
retreat.
Proposed law defines "law enforcement officer" as any commissioned police officer, sheriff,
deputy sheriff, marshal, deputy marshal, correctional officer, probation and parole officer,
constable, wildlife enforcement agent, livestock brand inspector, forestry officer, or state
park warden.
Proposed law provides for a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment for not more than 60
days, or both.
(Adds R.S. 14:109)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of
Criminal Justice to the original bill:
1. Provide that the law enforcement officer can order the person to stop
approaching or to retreat.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Add livestock brand inspectors and forestry officers to the proposed law
definition of "law enforcement officer".
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.