February 21, 2026

New Bill Would Make it a Crime to Interfere With Public Safety

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

February 21, 2026

MONTGOMERY, Ala. Another bill aimed to help law enforcement has been filed in the Alabama Legislature, at least the fourth in the past year.
This bill would create a criminal offense for interfering with police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel while they are performing their duties.

Senator April Weaver (R) has introduced Senate Bill 293 establishing the crime of “Interference with a First Responder.”

Nationwide, more people are interfering, delaying and in some cases, preventing public safety from doing their jobs and that could put a person’s life in jeopardy.

Senator Weaver acknowledged these incidents and growing concerns about unrest and disruptions targeting emergency personnel in other parts of the country, citing violence and civil unrest in Minnesota. Weaver said she wants to prevent similar situations from occurring in Alabama.

“When our brave first responders are carrying out their duties, they shouldn’t have to worry about zealous agitators or bad actors interfering or inciting trouble,” Weaver said in a press release. “This bill makes it clear that when first responders instruct you to back off, refusing to do so will win you a free ride to jail in the back of a police cruiser while wearing a shiny pair of handcuffs.”

Under the bill, a person could be charged if they remain within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services worker after being instructed to vacate the area while the responder is engaged in official duties.

To qualify as the offense, the individual must also:

Impede or interfere with a first responder’s ability to perform their duties,

Threaten a first responder with physical harm, or

Strike, shove, kick, or otherwise make physical contact with a first responder.

The offense would be classified as a Class A misdemeanor, the highest level of misdemeanor under Alabama law, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000.

Weaver noted that the proposed crime would not apply to obstruction of an arrest, which is already covered under existing sections of Alabama law.

If approved, the bill would add a new tool for law enforcement to address what supporters describe as interference at emergency scenes. Similar laws have also been passed recently in other states.