Pennsylvania HB 1817: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in obstructing governmental operations, providing for the offense of interfering or impeding a first responder's duties.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2236
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1817
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HAMM, STENDER, SMITH, GROVE, RAPP, GILLEN,
K.HARRIS, KOZAK AND WATRO, AUGUST 21, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, AUGUST 22, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in obstructing governmental
operations, providing for the offense of interfering or
impeding a first responder's duties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 5113. Interfering or impeding a first responder's duties.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits an offense if, after
receiving a verbal warning not to approach from a person who the
person knows or reasonably should know is a first responder
engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, the person
knowingly and willfully violates the warning and approaches or
remains within 15 feet of the first responder with the intent
to:
(1) interfere, impede or otherwise obstruct the first
responder's ability to perform the first responder's duty;
(2) threaten the first responder with physical harm,
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including a terroristic threat as described under section
2706 (relating to terroristic threats); or
(3) harass the first responder.
(b) Grading.--
(1) A first offense under this section shall constitute
a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(2) A second or subsequent offense under this section
shall constitute a misdemeanor of the second degree.
(c) Constitution.--Nothing in this section may be construed
to prohibit, limit or punish conduct that is otherwise protected
by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States
or the Constitution of Pennsylvania.
(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"First responder." Includes:
(1) A peace officer as defined under section 501
(relating to definitions).
(2) A firefighter.
(3) Emergency services personnel as defined under
section 5112(b) (relating to obstructing emergency services).
"Harass." To willfully engage in a course of conduct within
15 feet of a first responder which intentionally causes
emotional distress to the first responder and serves no
legitimate purpose.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250HB1817PN2236 - 2 -
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