House Bill 995

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE "FIRST RESPONDER HALO ACT OF 2025," FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPEDING, THREATENING OR HARASSING BEHAVIOR DIRECTED TOWARD FIRST RESPONDERS ENGAGED IN THE LAWFUL PERFORMANCE OF A LEGAL DUTY, AFTER RECEIVING A WARNING NOT TO APPROACH; TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS WHEN GIVEN THE WARNING TO REMAIN WITHIN A DISTANCE OF 25 FEET OF THE FIRST RESPONDER; TO DEFINE TERMINOLOGY; TO PRESCRIBE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, the following terms have the meanings ascribed herein, unless context clearly required otherwise:

(a) "First responder" means state and local law enforcement personnel, fire department personnel, emergency medical personnel, emergency management personnel and public works personnel who may be deployed to bioterrorism attacks, terrorist attacks, catastrophic or natural disasters and emergencies.

(b) "Harass" means to willfully engage in a course of

conduct directed at a first responder which intentionally causes

substantial emotional distress in that first responder and

serves no legitimate purpose.

(2) (a) It is unlawful for a person, after receiving a

verbal warning not to approach from a person he or she knows or

reasonably should know is a first responder, who is engaged in

the lawful performance of a legal duty, to knowingly and

willfully violate such warning and approach or remain within twenty-five (25) feet of the first responder with the intent to:

(i) Impede or interfere with the first responder's ability to perform such duty;

(ii) Threaten the first responder with physical harm; or

(iii) Harass the first responder.

(b) A person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of hindering prosecution in the second degree, constituting a misdemeanor as prescribed in Section 97-9-107, and punishable as provided in Section 97-9-129(3).

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.