Bill would make certain warned approaches to responders a misdemeanor

A person would commit an offense by knowingly and willfully disobeying a warning, then approaching or staying within 25 feet of a first responder with a listed intent. First responders include law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians or medical responders, probation or parole officers, and certain detention and correctional staff. The first responder must be doing a lawful duty, and the person must know or reasonably should know the person is a first responder. The person must intend to interfere with the duty, threaten physical harm, or harass the responder. Harassment means a course of conduct that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress and serves no legitimate purpose. The offense would be a Class 2 misdemeanor unless another law provides a greater punishment. This provision would apply to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2026.

The Department of Public Safety would receive $25,000 in one-time funding for a public awareness campaign. The funding is for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. The money would come from the General Fund and cover the Department’s costs to develop and carry out a campaign about the proposed first responder rule. The one-time funding is for fiscal year 2026–2027. This section would take effect July 1, 2026.