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HD 465

An Act ensuring the safety and dignity of first responders (Halo Act)

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ryan Fattman and 4 co-sponsors

The Halo Act makes it a crime to harass, threaten, or interfere with first responders within 25 feet while they perform duties, after a verbal warning.

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Bill Summary · HD 465

Halo Act (HD 465) — Comprehensive Summary

Overview

  • Bill number: HD 465 (House Docket: 465; House Bill No. 2057 in the filing).
  • Title: An Act ensuring the safety and dignity of first responders (Halo Act).
  • Jurisdiction: Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  • Introduced/Filed: Official filing date shown as January 9, 2025; introduced in the 2025-2026 session. (Some materials list November 29, 2025 as the introduction date; the available text references a 2025 filing.)
  • Sponsor/Proponents: Representatives Steven George Xiarhos and Richard G. Wells, Jr. (with a petition by multiple legislators).

Purpose

The Halo Act creates statutory protections for first responders by prohibiting interference, threats, or harassment directed at first responders while they perform their duties at crime scenes, accidents, or emergencies. It defines specific conduct and establishes penalties to deter those who would impede, threaten, or harass first responders.

Key Provisions

  • Definitions (Chapter 271, General Laws)

    • “First responder” includes:
    • Law enforcement officers
    • Paid, call, reserve, or volunteer firefighters
    • Paid, call, reserve, or volunteer emergency medical technicians (EMTs)
    • Other persons whose usual duties include rendering assistance at the scene of crime, accident, or other emergency
    • “Harass” means a willful course of conduct directed at a first responder that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress and serves no legitimate purpose.

  • Prohibited Conduct (Section 52)

    • After receiving a verbal warning not to approach from a person known or reasonably known to be a first responder who is performing a lawful duty, a person shall not:
    • knowingly and willfully approach or remain within 25 feet of the first responder with the intent to impede or interfere with the duty,
    • threaten the first responder with physical harm, or
    • harass the first responder.

  • Verbal Warning Requirement

    • A warning must be given by a person who is known or reasonably should be known to be a first responder and who is engaged in the lawful performance of duty.

  • Penalties

    • First offense: fine of not more than $1,000.
    • Each subsequent offense: fine not exceeding $5,000 and/or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both.

Who Is Affected

  • The law would apply to a broad set of individuals interacting with first responders at scenes, including:
    • Police, firefighters, and EMTs (in their official capacities)
    • Other personnel whose duties involve providing assistance at emergencies or crime scenes
  • The penalties apply to individuals who violate the proximity/harassment provisions after being warned.

Procedural/Timeline Considerations

  • The bill amendments would add new Section 52 to Chapter 271 of the General Laws.
  • It establishes a criminal offense with escalating penalties for repeat violations.
  • The text indicates a formal legislative filing process in early 2025; status updates would come from committee action (The Judiciary) and floor votes in the Senate and House.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Enhances safety and dignity for first responders by creating criminal penalties for interference, threats, or harassment within 25 feet of responders during duties.
  • Encourages compliance with verbal warnings issued at scenes.
  • Could raise questions about enforcement specifics (e.g., what qualifies as “verbal warning” in diverse situations) and First Amendment considerations in protest contexts—though the act targets interference, threats, and harassment as defined.
  • Enforcement would primarily fall to law enforcement and prosecutors, with penalties focused on repeat offenders.

If you’d like, I can provide a one-page plain-language briefing for non-lawmakers or compare this bill to similar protections in other states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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