Bill heads to DeSantis protecting first responders from harassment and obstruction

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Legislature gave final passage to a bill on Thursday protecting first responders from being harassed and from being obstructed in their work as officers of the law.

Sen. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah Gardens, sponsored the bill, SB 184, requiring bystanders provide first responders an ample amount of space when they are addressing an emergency.

The House approved the bill with a vote of 85-27 on Wednesday. The Senate gave final approval Thursday 39-1.

The bill makes it a second degree misdemeanor for any bystander, after receiving a warning, to not provide at least 25 feet of space between themselves and the first responders.

Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Hialeah, introduced an amendment further defining terms such as “first responder” and “harass.”

The lawmaker spent his closing time on the bill to thank other representatives for the effort to get the legislation passed, including Rep. Joe Casello, D-Boynton Beach, who he said worked to expand the bill to factor in all first responders, instead of just law enforcement.

“So I thank everyone that’s gotten us this far,” he said. “And you have my word that we’re going to get it in a much better place.”

Rizo sponsored the House version of the bill, which was laid on the table for Avila’s Senate companion.

Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect that the Senate passed the final version of the bill on Thursday.