DelawareBill would penalize crossing barriers to disrupt or threaten responders
People who intend to obstruct or physically threaten responders would face a misdemeanor for crossing their marked barriers or knowingly coming or staying within 25 feet after a verbal warning during lawful work.
What it does
Crossing a responder’s marked barrier, or knowingly coming or staying within 25 feet after that responder’s verbal warning during lawful work, would be a misdemeanor if meant to obstruct or physically threaten them.
Argument forThe barrier and warning rules could give responders more room to work when someone intends to obstruct or physically threaten them.
Argument againstSomeone crossing a marked barrier could face a misdemeanor charge if their intent to interfere is disputed, even without an approach warning.
More detail
A person would commit a class A misdemeanor by crossing a responder’s marked barrier or knowingly coming or staying within 25 feet despite the responder’s verbal warning, intending to obstruct or physically threaten them. It covers law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and fire police officers. For the warning rule, the responder must be doing lawful work, and the person must know or reasonably be expected to know they are a responder.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 24Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 1 Favorable, 4 On Its MeritsLatest
- Jun 18Assigned to Administration Committee in HouseMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 18Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENTPassed Senate
- Jun 18was introduced and adopted in lieu of SB 284Introduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety