summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
03/10/2026
03/10/2026
Crossed Over
03/05/2026
03/05/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws So As To Enact The "helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (halo) Act"; And By Adding Section 16-3-1092 So As To Define The Terms "emergency Medical Care Provider", "first Responder", And "harass", To Provide That It Is Unlawful For A Person To Approach, Impede, Cause Harm To, Or Harass A First Responder Or Emergency Medical Care Provider After Receiving A Verbal Warning, And To Provide A Penalty.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act, aims to protect emergency medical care providers and first responders in South Carolina. It defines "Emergency Medical Care Provider" as medical professionals and hospital volunteers working in an emergency department, and "First Responder" as law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics. The bill makes it illegal for anyone to approach, impede, harm, or harass these individuals after receiving a verbal warning to stay a reasonable distance away, not exceeding twenty-five feet, while they are performing their duties. This prohibition applies if the person knows or should know the individual is a first responder or emergency medical care provider engaged in lawful duty, and the intent is to interfere with their work or cause them harm. Violating these provisions is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to five hundred dollars and/or imprisonment for up to thirty days.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (56)
Melissa Oremus (R)*,
Lucas Atkinson (D),
William Bailey (R),
Jeff Bradley (R),
Gary Brewer (R),
Case Brittain (R),
Micah Caskey (R),
Don Chapman (R),
Heather Crawford (R),
April Cromer (R),
Adam Duncan (R),
Shannon Erickson (R),
Cal Forrest (R),
Craig Gagnon (R),
Gil Gatch (R),
Daniel Gibson (R),
Doug Gilliam (R),
Thomas Lee Gilreath (R),
Val Guest (R),
Patrick Haddon (R),
Kevin Hardee (R),
Tom Hartnett (R),
Charles Hartz (R),
Lee Hewitt (R),
Davey Hiott (R),
Bill Hixon (R),
Harriet Holman (R),
Jeff Johnson (R),
John Lastinger (R),
Brian Lawson (R),
Randy Ligon (R),
Steven Long (R),
Phillip Lowe (R),
David Martin (R),
John McCravy (R),
Cody Mitchell (R),
Brandon Newton (R),
Weston Newton (R),
Fawn Pedalino (R),
Tommy Pope (R),
Robby Robbins (R),
Blake Sanders (R),
Carla Schuessler (R),
Heath Sessions (R),
Mark Smith (R),
Murrell Smith (R),
Bill Taylor (R),
James Teeple (R),
Jackie Terribile (R),
David Vaughan (R),
Joe White (R),
Bill Whitmire (R),
Paul Wickensimer (R),
Mark Willis (R),
Chris Wooten (R),
Richie Yow (R),
Last Action
Conference committee appointed Adams, Kimbrell, Walker (on 05/14/2026)
Official Document
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