HB378 • 2026

CRIME: Provides relative to using a vehicle to obstruct first responders (EG SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

Crime

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Mike Bayham
Last action: 2026-05-27
Official status: Pending Senate Judiciary C
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the enforcement of the law or its application in various scenarios beyond the exceptions mentioned.

Law Against Using a Vehicle to Block First Responders

This bill makes it illegal to use a motorized vehicle to block or delay first responders and sets penalties for doing so.

What This Bill Does

Adds new rules that make using a motorized vehicle to block or delay first responders a crime.
Increases the fine from $500 to up to $1,000 if someone uses a car to stop first responders.
Sets jail time of up to six months for blocking first responders with a vehicle.

Who It Names or Affects

People who use vehicles to block or delay first responders will be punished under this law.

Terms To Know

First Responders: People like police officers, firefighters, and paramedics who help during emergencies.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not apply to safety measures such as barricades erected by construction workers or governmental authorities.
It is unclear how this law will be enforced in different situations.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

House Committee Amendment #5835 ACRJ Adopted

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment removes references to law enforcement and deletes specific lines related to penalties for using a vehicle to obstruct first responders.

Removes the phrase 'and law enforcement' after 'first responders'.
Deletes lines 16 through 20 on page 1, which contain details about penalties.

The exact content of the deleted lines is not provided in the amendment text.

House Committee Amendment #3805 ACRJ Draft

Draft

Plain English: The amendment removes references to law enforcement and deletes specific lines from the original bill text.

Removes 'and law enforcement' after 'first responders'.
Deletes lines 16 through 20 on page 1 of the original bill.

The exact content of the deleted lines is not provided, so it's unclear what specific information or rules were removed.

Bill History

2026-05-27 S
Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.
2026-05-26 S
Received in the Senate. Rules suspended. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
2026-05-26 H
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 74, nays 23. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
2026-05-25 H
Scheduled for floor debate on 05/26/2026.
2026-05-20 H
Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.
2026-05-19 H
Reported with amendments (11-0).
2026-03-09 H
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
2026-02-27 H
First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.
2026-02-25 H
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
2026-02-25 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

CRIME: Provides relative to using a vehicle to obstruct first responders (EG SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HLS 26RS-445 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 378
BY REPRESENTATIVE BAYHAM
CRIME: Provides relative to using a vehicle to obstruct first responders
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 14:100.1(C) and to enact R.S. 14:100.1(D), relative to
3 obstructing public passages; to provide penalties when committed with a motorized
4 vehicle; to provide relative to first responders; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 14:100.1(C) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 14:100.1(D)
7 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 §100.1. Obstructing public passages
9 * * *
10 C. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section using a motorized vehicle
11 with the intent to hinder, delay, hamper, obstruct, or impede a first responder as
12 defined in R.S. 40:1372 when the first responder is acting in the course and scope of
13 his duty shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more
14 than six months, or both.
15 C. D. This Section shall not be applicable does not apply to the erection or
16 construction of any barricades or other forms of obstructions as a safety measure in
17 connection with construction, excavation, maintenance, repair, replacement, or other
18 work in or adjacent to any public sidewalk, street, highway, bridge, alley, road, or
19 other passageway, nor to the placing of barricades or other forms of obstruction by
20 governmental authorities, or any officer or agent thereof, in the proper performance
21 of duties.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-445 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 378
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 378 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Bayham
Abstract: Provides penalties for obstructing a public passage using a motorized vehicle
with intent to obstruct a first responder.
Present law provides for the crime of obstructing public passages and provides for a fine of
not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law provides that when the obstruction is committed with a motorized vehicle and
with the intent to obstruct a first responder, the offender shall be fined not more than $1,000
or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
(Amends R.S. 14:100.1(C); Adds R.S. 14:100.1(D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of
Criminal Justice to the original bill:
1. Remove provisions related to obstructing law enforcement officers.
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.