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AB 11

Crimes: impeding emergency personnel.

2025-2026, Special Session 1

AB 11 creates criminal penalties for obstructing emergency personnel during emergency response operations, but died in legislative process without passage.

Died at Desk.
#crimes #impedingemergencypersonnel
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 11

Legislative bill overview

AB 11 would establish criminal penalties for individuals who impede, obstruct, or interfere with emergency personnel (firefighters, paramedics, police officers) performing their duties. The bill creates new offense categories with graduated penalties based on the severity of interference and whether injury results.

Why is this important

Emergency responders face increasing incidents of obstruction in the field, which delays critical medical care, fire suppression, and law enforcement response. Clarifying and strengthening legal consequences for interference aims to protect public safety and ensure emergency services can operate effectively during crises.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional scope: The term "impede" or "interfere" could be interpreted broadly, raising concerns about whether it captures minor inconveniences versus serious obstruction, potentially affecting protest activities or legitimate public presence
  • Enforcement disparities: Critics worry police discretion in determining what constitutes "interference" could lead to disparate enforcement across communities
  • Proportionality of penalties: Questions about whether criminal charges are appropriate for all levels of interference, particularly for non-violent obstruction, versus civil remedies or lesser infractions

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

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