State Rep. Steve Frisbie and the state House this week advanced legislation to better protect Michigan’s first responders and victims by preventing the distraction or harassment of emergency personnel who are serving their communities.

Frisbie, a retired paramedic, said bad actors have increasingly put police officers and first responders – as well as crime and accident victims they are helping – in danger by harassing or interfering with their work. He voted to give law enforcement officers an additional option when people continue to harass or interfere with first responders even after they’re warned not to approach.

“In the field, first responders are doing important work – sometimes in life and death scenarios. If bystanders get too close or distract them from fulfilling their vital roles, the results can be dangerous,” Frisbie said. “For the greater good, it’s essential that we create real penalties to thwart people from posing a blatant distraction to first responders in emergency situations.”

Frisbie also highlighted that the legislation does not prevent any citizen from exercising their first amendment rights. That means video recording and voicing concerns remains legal under Michigan law.

“What this is really about is giving officers the tools they need to prevent people with bad intentions from derailing the successful outcome of emergency services,” Frisbie said. “When first responders are telling us they are having trouble maintaining public safety in certain situations, we need to take those concerns seriously.”

A person found guilty of the new crime would face up to 60 days in jail or a fine not greater than $500 for a basic violation. Someone who violates the act and causes injury to the first responder would face up to two years imprisonment and a fine not greater than $2,000. Someone in violation that causes the death of an officer would face up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine not greater than $7,500.

The legislation passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support and now moves to the state Senate for further consideration.

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