HB1453 • 2026

First responder; approaching with specified intent after a warning, penalty.

<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2 a section numbered 18.2-138.1, relating to approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning; penalty.</p>

Healthcare Labor

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Williams
Last action: 2026-02-18
Official status: Failed
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest text do not provide specific details about penalties or exemptions beyond what the official bill text does.

Law to Protect First Responders from Harassment

This bill adds a new section to Virginia's laws that makes it illegal for people to approach or stay close to first responders after being warned, if they intend to harm the responder or interfere with their job.

What This Bill Does

Defines 'first responder' as someone like police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical workers who help in emergencies.
Says that it's against the law for people to come near a first responder after getting a warning not to do so, if they want to stop the responder from doing their job or threaten them with harm.
Explains that watching or recording a first responder from far away is allowed as long as you don't break the rules about approaching them.
Sets penalties for breaking this law: a small fine for the first time and a bigger one if it happens again.

Who It Names or Affects

First responders like police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical workers
People who might want to approach or stay near these workers after being warned not to

Terms To Know

first responder: A person such as a police officer, firefighter, or emergency medical worker who helps in emergencies.
harass: To willfully engage in a course of conduct directed at a first responder that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress and serves no legitimate purpose.

Limits and Unknowns

The law does not apply if you are the person being helped by a first responder or if you are trying to help someone in an emergency.
It also doesn't stop news reporters from doing their job as long as they follow the rules about staying away.

Bill History

2026-02-18 House
Left in Committee Public Safety
2026-02-17 House
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1453)
2026-02-03 Subcommittee #3
Assigned HMPPS sub: Subcommittee #3
2026-01-23 House
Presented and ordered printed 26106056D
2026-01-23 Public Safety
Referred to Committee on Public Safety

Official Summary Text

Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning; penalty.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2 a section numbered
18.2-138.1
, relating to approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning; penalty.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
18.2-138.1
as follows:

§
18.2-138.1
. Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning; penalty.

A. As used in this section:

"Emergency medical services personnel" means any person who holds a valid certificate issued by the Commissioner of Health pursuant to §
32.1-111.5
as an emergency medical services provider, including emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, and paramedics.

"Firefighter" means any person, whether compensated or volunteer, who is a member of a fire company or department and is responsible for fire suppression or prevention and who is subject to the hazards of fire service.

"First responder" means a law-enforcement officer as defined in §
9.1-101
, a firefighter as defined herein, emergency medical services personnel as defined herein, or a probation and parole officer as defined in §
53.1-141
.

"Harass" means to willfully engage in a course of conduct directed at a first responder that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress in that first responder and serves no legitimate purpose. Mere observation, recording, or presence within 25 feet shall not, standing alone, constitute harassment.

B. It is unlawful for any person, after receiving a verbal warning not to approach from a person he knows or reasonably should know is a first responder who is engaged in the lawful performance of an official duty, to knowingly and willfully violate such warning and approach or remain within 25 feet of the first responder with the specific intent to:

1. Impede or interfere with the first responder's ability to perform such duty;

2. Threaten the first responder with physical harm; or

3. Harass the first responder.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to:

1. Prohibit any person from observing, photographing, or making an audio or video recording of a first responder performing official duties from a distance of 25 feet or more;

2. Prohibit any person from observing, photographing, or making an audio or video recording of a first responder from any distance, provided such person does not violate subsection B;

3. Apply to any person who is the subject of the first responder's official action or the lawful representative of such person;

4. Apply to any person rendering or attempting to render medical or emergency assistance to an individual at the scene;

5. Apply to any member of the news media engaged in newsgathering activities, provided such member does not violate subsection B; or

6. Limit the authority of a first responder to establish a perimeter at the scene of a crime, accident, fire, or other emergency pursuant to existing law.

D. Any person who violates subsection B is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor for a first offense. A second or subsequent offense is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

E. The provisions of this section shall not preclude prosecution under §
18.2-460
or any other applicable provision of law.

2. That this act shall become effective July 1, 2026.