Statehouse — The Indiana House is considering legislation that would create a buffer zone around police officers and first responders at crime and accident scenes, and make it illegal for bystanders to breach those areas.
House Bill 1186 says that people who “knowingly or intentionally” get within 25 feet of law enforcement officers doing their jobs would commit “unlawful encroachment on an investigation” if the officers have asked them to move away.
The new crime would be a Class C misdemeanor.
The bill also applies to members of the media or others bystanders who are recording the incident.
State Representative Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) authored the bill, which passed out of committee.
(Story by WRBI reporter Bill Remeika)
