H.R. 8796

[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.

_______________________________________________________________________

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

_______________________________________________________________________

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.''.
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