The Federal Halo Act would add a new federal crime. It makes it illegal for a person to approach or stay within 15 feet of a Federal law enforcement officer after that officer gives a verbal warning not to approach, when the officer is engaged in the lawful performance of duties. The person must know or reasonably should know the person giving the warning is a Federal law enforcement officer. The offense applies when the person intends to (1) impede or interfere with the officer's duties, (2) threaten the officer with physical harm, or (3) harass the officer. The bill defines "harass" as knowingly doing a course of conduct that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress and serves no legitimate purpose. A person convicted under the new crime could be fined, imprisoned for up to 5 years, or both. The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
If a federal officer lawfully warns you not to approach, coming within 15 feet could lead to criminal charges if you do so with the intent to interfere, threaten, or harass. The rule applies only to officers acting in the lawful performance of their duties and requires that you know or reasonably should know the person is a federal law enforcement officer.
No publicly available information.
The bill creates a 15-foot safety buffer and a criminal penalty to protect Federal law enforcement officers and to deter people from impeding, threatening, or harassing them while they perform official duties.
No publicly available information.