F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 1581 2021
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to impeding, provoking, or harassing
3 law enforcement officers; creating s. 843.31, F.S.;
4 providing a definition; prohibiting approaching a law
5 enforcement officer or remaining within a specified
6 distance of such officer with specified intent after
7 receiving a warning not to approach; providing
8 criminal penalties; providing an effective date.
9
10 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
11
12 Section 1. Section 843.31, Florida Statutes, is created to
13 read:
14 843.31 Approaching a law enforcement officer after a
15 warning with intent to impede, provoke, or harass.—
16 (1) As used in this section, the term "law enforcement
17 officer" has the same meaning as in s. 943.10(1).
18 (2)(a) It is unlawful for any person, after receiving a
19 warning from a law enforcement officer not to approach, to
20 violate such warning and approach or remain within 30 feet of a
21 law enforcement officer who is engaged in the lawful performance
22 of any legal duty with the intent to:
23 1. Interrupt, disrupt, hinder, impede, or interfere with
24 the law enforcement officer's ability to perform such duty;
25 2. Provoke a physical response from the law enforcement
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 1581 2021
26 officer; or
27 3. Directly or indirectly harass the law enforcement
28 officer.
29 (b) A person who violates this subsection commits a
30 misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.
31 775.082 or s. 775.083.
32 Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2021.
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