SB 268: Offenses Against Public Order; crime of interference with a first responder; provide

This bill changes two parts of Georgia's criminal code. First, it expands the incest statute (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-22) so that sexual relations between a step-grandparent and step-grandchild count as incest, alongside existing blood and adopted grandparent-grandchild relationships. Second, it creates a brand new crime called interference with a first responder (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-46). A person commits this crime if, after a first responder such as a paramedic, firefighter, or police-affiliated rescuer tells them not to approach, they knowingly and willfully come within 25 feet of that responder anyway while intending to impede their work, threaten them with physical harm, or harass them. The bill defines 'first responder' broadly to include anyone who provides on-site emergency care before an ambulance arrives, and defines 'harass' as conduct meant to cause substantial emotional distress with no legitimate purpose. Violating this new law is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, a more serious misdemeanor category under Georgia law.

• Adds step-grandparent and step-grandchild relationships to the list of family relationships covered by Georgia's incest law (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-22).
• Creates a new crime, interference with a first responder, for approaching within 25 feet of a warned-off first responder with intent to impede, threaten, or harass them.
• Defines 'first responder' to include any person or agency giving on-site emergency care before an ambulance arrives, including those affiliated with police, fire, or rescue agencies.
• Defines 'harass' as willful conduct aimed at a first responder that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress and serves no legitimate purpose.
• Sets the penalty for the new interference crime as a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, a harsher misdemeanor tier than a standard misdemeanor.

First responders such as paramedics, firefighters, and rescue workers who could invoke the new 25-foot warning rule; bystanders, protesters, or family members at emergency scenes who might be charged under it; and people with step-grandparent or step-grandchild relationships who would newly fall under the incest statute.

First responders would gain a legal tool to keep people at a distance during emergencies by issuing a verbal warning, and anyone who ignores that warning with intent to interfere, threaten, or harass could face a serious misdemeanor charge. The incest law change closes a gap for step-grandparent relationships that were not previously covered.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 16-6-22(4) to add step-grandparent and step-grandchild to the relationships covered by the incest offense.
• Section 2 adds new Code Section 16-11-46, creating the crime of interference with a first responder.
• Subsection (a) defines 'first responder' and 'harass' for purposes of the new offense.
• Subsection (b) requires a prior verbal warning not to approach and sets the 25-foot boundary and the three intents (impede, threaten, harass) that trigger the crime.
• Subsection (c) sets the penalty as a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-19House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
3. 2025-04-02House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
4. 2025-03-11House Second Readers (House)
5. 2025-03-10House First Readers (House)
6. 2025-03-06Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
7. 2025-03-06Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2025-03-06Senate Taken from Table (Senate)

• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)Primary sponsor
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Tim Fleming (R, HD-114)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   38 yea, 17 nay (1 not voting, 0 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #217

• first responders
• public safety law
• misdemeanor penalties
• incest law
• emergency scenes