Republican legislators overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto to create a 25-foot buffer around law enforcement and emergency personnel, a move the Senate leader said ensures Kansas won’t become like Minnesota. Senate President Ty Masterson said in a news release that House Bill 2372, referred to as the Halo Act, keeps “radical protesters” from interfering with law enforcement and keeps officers and bystanders safe. Masterson referred to riots in Minnesota when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers injured and killed bystanders while detaining immigrants. The bill makes it a misdemeanor crime to go within 25 feet of a first responder while they are working. A violation can result in a fine up to $1,000 and jail term of up to six months. In addition, the bill outlines regulations for Kansas law enforcement to work with ICE, including allowing sheriffs to detain individuals on an immigration detainer request and to sign ICE contracts without seeking approval from county commissioners. It also requires municipal insurance pools to cover law enforcement officers when they are enforcing federal law.
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