Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed legislation sponsored by Butler County State Rep. Thomas Hall that creates new protections for first responders working at emergency scenes. House Bill 20, sponsored by Hall, R-Madison Township, and Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Dayton, creates a new offense of harassing an emergency service responder. Under the law, a person can be charged if, after being warned, they remain within 15 feet of a first responder performing official duties and either interfere with the responder's work or threaten the responder with physical harm. The legislation also increases penalties for obstructing official business. A violation that previously was a second-degree misdemeanor becomes a first-degree misdemeanor. If the violation creates a risk of physical harm to a first responder, it can be charged as a fourth-degree felony. The bill also expands the definition of an emergency service responder to include probation officers. “I'm grateful to see this commonsense bill signed into law,” Hall said. “It will directly increase the safety and wellbeing of our communities and our first responders by making sure they are able to do their jobs.” Hall represents Butler County and is a volunteer firefighter with the Madison Township Fire Department.