Enacts the protection in the workplace act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Parker

Criminalizes approaching or staying within 25 feet of a first responder after orders to keep distance, if aimed to obstruct or threaten duties; up to 6 months' jail or $1,000 fine.

REFERRED TO LABOR

Overview

S 4140 proposes a new protection for first responders in New Jersey, adding a specific offense to criminal law to deter interference with first responders while they perform their duties. The bill is titled the “Honoring and Listening to Our First Responders Act” (HALO Act) and would supplement Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.

Main Purpose

To safeguard first responders by creating a disorderly persons offense for approaching or remaining within 25 feet of a first responder after being instructed to maintain distance, with the intent to obstruct, impair, interfere with, or threaten/harass the responder in the performance of official duties.

Key Provisions

Offense Created: It is a disorderly persons offense to knowingly approach or remain within 25 feet of a first responder after receiving instruction to maintain distance, with the purpose to:

Obstruct, impair, or interfere with the first responder’s official duties; or
Threaten, intimidate, or harass the first responder in relation to their official duties.

First Responder Definition: Includes:

Law enforcement officers, whether on duty or off-duty;
Paid or volunteer firefighters;
Paid or volunteer members of duly incorporated first aid, emergency, ambulance, or rescue squad associations.

Non-Preclusion: Prosecution or conviction under this act does not preclude pursuing charges under other applicable laws.

Penalties: A disorderly persons offense carries up to 6 months of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Effective Date: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Affected Parties

Directly Affected: First responders (law enforcement officers, paid/volunteer firefighters, paid/volunteer first aid/EMS/rescue squad members) who may be impeded or harassed while performing duties.

Public/Individuals: Persons who knowingly disregard distance instructions and engage in conduct intended to obstruct or threaten first responders.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Status and Introduction: Referred to the Labor Committee; introduced in the Senate on February 20, 2025.

Sponsors: Primary sponsor Kevin S. Parker.

Legislative Track: Related/companion bills exist (e.g., A 5498), and several prior-session related Senate bills (S 990, S 1227, S 1795, etc.) are listed as related.

Additional context

The bill is part of a broader statutory framework that aims to protect public safety personnel by clarifying permissible interactions and establishing enforceable consequences for interference or harassment directed at first responders.

This summary focuses on the substantive provisions, who is affected, and the key procedural aspects of S 4140 as introduced.

Bill