119 HR 8796 IH: Federal Halo Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-05-13 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8796IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 13, 2026Ms. Malliotakis (for herself, Mr. Ezell, and Mr. McGuire) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend title 18, United States Code, to establish a safety buffer zone to protect certain Federal law enforcement officers, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Federal Halo Act.

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:

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..