North Carolina legislation · 2025-2026 Session
North Carolina S985: HALO Law.
Status: In committee, May 13, 2026
What the bill says
An act to establish a safety buffer around first responders while they are in the lawful performance of their duties.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A SAFETY BUFFER AROUND FIRST RESPONDERS WHILE THEY ARE IN THE LAWFUL PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1. This act shall be known as "The Honoring and Listening to Our Officers (HALO) Law." SECTION 2. Article 30 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 14-223.1. Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning. (a) Definitions. - For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (1) First responder. - Means any of the following: a. A law enforcement officer. b. A firefighter. c. An emergency medical technician or a medical responder. d. A probation or parole officer. e. A person whose employment duties include the custody, transportation, or management of persons who are detained or confined to a detention facility, youth development center, or correctional institution operated under the jurisdiction of the State or a local government. (2) Harass. - To willfully engage in a course of conduct directed at a first responder which intentionally causes substantial emotional distress in that first responder and serves no legitimate purpose. (b) Offense. - It is unlawful for a person, after receiving a verbal warning not to approach from a person he or she knows …
Sponsors
- Measmer, Chris (R, 34) · primary sponsor
- Britt, Danny Earl (R, 24)
- Ford, Carl (R, 33)
- Hollo, Mark (R, 45)
- Johnson, Todd (R, 35)
- Moffitt, Timothy D. (R, 48)
- Sanderson, Norman W. (R, 2)
Latest actions
- : Re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget
- : Withdrawn From Com
- : Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
- : Passed 1st Reading
- : Filed
Subjects: BUDGETING, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, SENTENCING, PUBLIC SAFETY DEPT., HEALTH SERVICES, PUBLIC, PERSONNEL, LAW ENFORCEMENT
Common questions
- What is S985?
- S985 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): HALO Law.
- What does S985 do?
- In its own words: An act to establish a safety buffer around first responders while they are in the lawful performance of their duties.
- What is the status of S985?
- In committee as of May 13, 2026. Latest action: Re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget (May 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored S985?
- Measmer, Chris (R, 34), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S985?
- On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S985
Source: official North Carolina record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.