It was the best of times for supporters of a measure to increase penalties for people who wantonly damage emergency equipment, but the worst of times for the sponsors of a bill to create a safe zone around working first responders.
Senate Bill 232, sponsored by State Sen. Dave Wilson (R-Cedar Creek Hundred) and State Rep. Danny Short (R-Seaford), cleared the Senate in the early morning hours of July 1 and now awaits the governor’s signature.
The measure seeks to increase the seriousness of an act of “criminal mischief” to a class F felony when someone intentionally causes at least $5,000 in damage to an emergency vehicle and renders that vehicle unavailable for service.
The legislation was inspired by an incident in November 2023, when firefighters from six municipalities in Delaware and Maryland responded to a blaze at New Process Fiber Company in Greenwood. Two fire trucks from the Ellendale Fire Company and three vehicles from other companies were damaged by individuals throwing rocks near the fire scene.
Meanwhile, a measure sponsored by Sen. Eric Buckson (R–South Dover) and House Republican Leader Tim Dukes (R–Laurel) that sought to strengthen protections for Delaware’s first responders while they perform their duties was prevented from crossing the finish line.
Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 284 would have established a 25-foot safe zone of operations, or “halo,” around first responders performing their duties.
The bill would have made it a class A misdemeanor to cross a marked first responder barrier or, after receiving a warning, to enter the safety zone to interfere with a first responder or threaten them with harm.
The measure defined a first responder as a law-enforcement officer, volunteer or paid firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic, or fire police officer.
“Our first responders put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect our communities,” Sen. Buckson said. “The last thing they should have to worry about is someone interfering with their ability to do their job safely and effectively.”
Rep. Dukes said the bill was intended to reinforce respect for emergency personnel, prioritize public safety, and reduce the potential for conflict or misunderstandings.
The proposal is similar to the Halo Law, recently enacted in Florida.
The bill passed the Senate on June 18, 20-0. All five members of the House Administration Committee voted to release the bill a week before the session ended.
However, even though all three members of the House of Representatives’ Democratic leadership, which controls the House Agenda, voted to release the bill from committee, it was not allowed to be considered by the chamber.
The bill is now essentially dead and will have to be refiled after the new 154th General Assembly convenes in January.
