SB 284 DE
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PROTECTING FIRST RESPONDERS.
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Summary
This bill creates new criminal offenses related to interference with first responders. The bill makes it a crime to cross a marked barrier that a first responder has established. The bill also makes it a crime to approach or remain within 25 feet of a first responder after being warned not to do so, if the person intends to impede the first responder's duties or threaten them with physical injury or death. For purposes of this bill, first responder includes law-enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and fire police officers.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill (from the OpenStates abstract — no full text available yet) — neutral, and may be imperfect.
Official abstract
This Act makes it a crime for any person to either cross a marked barrier established by a first responder, or, after receiving a warning not to approach from a first responder who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, to violate the warning and approach or remain within 25 feet of the first responder, with the intent to do any of the following: (1) Impede or interfere with the first responder’s ability to perform the first responder’s legal duty. (2) Threaten the first responder with physical injury, serious physical injury, or death. For purposes of this Act, a first responder means a law-enforcement officer, volunteer or paid firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic, or fire police officer.
Sponsors (13)
- Eric Buckson Republican · primary
- Timothy D. Dukes Republican · primary
- Trey Paradee Democratic · primary
- Brian Pettyjohn Republican · primary
- Bryant L. Richardson Republican · primary
- David P. Sokola Democratic · primary
- David L. Wilson Republican · primary
- Richard G. Collins Republican · primary
- Laura V. Sturgeon Democratic · primary
- Shannon Morris Republican · primary
- Daniel B. Short Republican · primary
- Bryan W. Shupe Republican · primary
- Lyndon D. Yearick Republican · primary
Action history (4)
- Jun 18, 2026 was introduced and adopted in lieu of SB 284 · upper
- Jun 18, 2026 Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT · upper
- Jun 18, 2026 Assigned to Administration Committee in House · lower
- Jun 24, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 1 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits · lower
Full text
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