An Act To Amend Title 11 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Protecting First Responders.
Summary
SB284 creates a new criminal offense in Title 11 of the Delaware Code for interfering with, threatening, or harassing certain first responders while they are performing official duties. The bill applies to law-enforcement officers, volunteer and paid firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and fire police officers. It makes it unlawful to cross a marked barrier set by a first responder, or to ignore a verbal warning and come within 25 feet of a first responder, if the person does so with the intent to impede the responder’s duties, threaten physical harm, or harass the responder.
The bill defines key terms such as “harass” and “marked barrier,” and classifies a violation as a Class A misdemeanor. It also gives the Superior Court exclusive jurisdiction over these offenses. The act is titled the “First State Emergency Response Act,” and it is aimed at creating a clearer legal protection for emergency personnel working in active situations.
Impact
SB284 would amend Title 11, Subpart D, Subchapter VI, Chapter 5 of the Delaware Code by adding a new section, 1244B, specifically addressing conduct directed at first responders. It expands criminal liability to include approaching protected responders after a warning or crossing a barrier when done with the intent to interfere, threaten, or harass. The bill would affect members of the public interacting with emergency scenes and would provide prosecutors and law enforcement with a new misdemeanor charge to use in incidents involving obstruction or intimidation of first responders.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the overall sentiment appears supportive and protective of emergency personnel. The bill’s framing emphasizes safety, operational effectiveness, and deterrence of disruptive conduct at emergency scenes. The sponsorship list suggests bipartisan interest, but there is no available transcript or vote history showing formal debate or opposition.
Contention
No committee transcripts or vote records are available, so no specific objections are documented in the provided materials. Potential points of contention, based on the bill’s structure, could include the breadth of the 25-foot restriction, the use of a verbal warning as a trigger for criminal liability, and how terms like “harass” or “impede” might be applied in practice. Any concerns would likely center on balancing first responder safety with public access, free movement, and enforcement discretion.
An Act To Amend Title 7 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Environmental Control By Repealing The Delaware Advanced Clean Car Program Under Regulation 1140 Of Title 7 Of The Delaware Administrative Code And Adopting The Delaware Low Emission Vehicle Program.