HB 224 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

Crimes and offenses; obstructing governmental operations, further provided

HB 224 establishes the new crime of "interference with a first responder." This crime applies to individuals who, after receiving a lawful order not to interfere, approach or remain within 25 feet of a first responder engaged in their duties. A person would be in violation if they then impede, threaten physical harm to, or make physical contact with the first responder. Violations of this new provision would be classified as a Class A misdemeanor. The bill also amends existing state code to include a definition for "first responder."

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 6, 2025 Last action May 6, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Public Safety and Homeland Security 1st Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to create a new crime called 'interference with a first responder' that is separate from the general crime of obstructing governmental operations. The substitute version tightens the distance requirement from 100 feet to 25 feet and adds specific physical contact provisions. It also changes the bill's title to reflect the addition of a new section rather than an amendment to existing sections.

Scope change

The bill now adds a new specific crime for interfering with first responders rather than just expanding the existing obstruction of governmental operations statute.

SCOPE

Created a new crime called 'interference with a first responder' as a separate offense from obstructing governmental operations.

REQUIREMENT

Reduced the prohibited distance from a first responder from 100 feet to 25 feet.

Added specific provision prohibiting physical contact including striking, shoving, kicking, or touching the first responder.

TECHNICAL

Changed bill language from amending existing sections to adding a new section 13A-10-2.1 to the Code of Alabama.

DEFINITION

Reordered and renumbered definitions in the article to accommodate the new crime structure.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors