Bill > HB1802

This bill modifies Washington state law to expand the definition of obstructing a law enforcement officer to include more specific prohibited behaviors and to explicitly include other first responders in the statute. The bill defines two primary ways a person can be found guilty of obstruction: (1) willfully hindering, delaying, or obstructing an officer or first responder in their official duties, and (2) knowingly violating a verbal warning not to approach within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer or first responder while intending to impede their work, threaten physical harm, or harass them. The bill provides a detailed definition of "first responders," which includes firefighters, emergency medical personnel, emergency dispatchers, national guard members in emergency response roles, coroners, and medical examiners. It also clarifies that individuals who intervene to help an officer or first responder in imminent danger are not committing obstruction. The act maintains the existing penalty of a gross misdemeanor for violating the obstruction statute, which typically carries potential penalties of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1802&Year=2025&Initiative=false