Protecting emergency responders and emergency response operations in Washington.

HB 2216 strengthens protections for emergency responders by amending Washington’s obstruction law (RCW 9A.76.020) to define "emergency responder" broadly to include firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency personnel responding to active incidents. It makes willfully interfering with these responders a gross misdemeanor, covering situations where responders are in uniform, announce their role, or are reasonably identifiable as such. The bill also includes new provisions requiring cities and counties to revise policies to prevent using local resources for immigration enforcement, ensuring services remain available regardless of immigration status. These changes directly affect emergency personnel, public safety responders, and local government agencies operating in Washington.