Federal Halo Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8796 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8796

To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish a safety buffer zone to protect certain Federal law enforcement officers, and for other purposes.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 13, 2026

Ms. Malliotakis (for herself, Mr. Ezell, and Mr. McGuire) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish a safety buffer zone to protect certain Federal law enforcement officers, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Halo Act''.

SEC. 2. CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR OBSTRUCTING FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ACTIVITIES.

(a) In General.--Chapter 73 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Sec. 1522. Obstructing law enforcement activities ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Federal law enforcement officer.--The term `Federal law enforcement officer' means any Federal law enforcement officer or agent who is engaged in the lawful performance of duties. ``(2) Harass.--The term `harass' means to knowingly engage in a course of conduct directed at a Federal law enforcement officer that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress in that Federal law enforcement officer and serves no legitimate purpose. ``(b) Offense.--It shall be unlawful for a person, after receiving a verbal warning not to approach from an individual whom the person knows or reasonably should know is a Federal law enforcement officer, and who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, to knowingly violate the warning and approach or remain within 15 feet of the Federal law enforcement officer with the intent to-- ``(1) impede or interfere with the ability of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer to perform that legal duty; ``(2) threaten the Federal Law Enforcement Officer with physical harm; or ``(3) harass the Federal Law Enforcement Officer. ``(c) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (b) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.''. (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 73 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``1522. Obstructing law enforcement activities.''. <all>