Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that establishes journalists have the right to attend and cover protests, rallies and other events, even in an area that has been closed by law enforcement.

Highlights:

• Alleges the Legislature intends that this act achieves parity in the access and protections for journalists and news media (Sec. 1).

• Specifies if peace officers close the immediate area surrounding any emergency field command post or any other command post, or establish a police line, or rolling closure at a demonstration, march, protest, or rally where individuals are engaged in activity that is protected, the following requirements will apply (Sec. 2.a):

• A duly authorized representative of any news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network may enter the closed areas described in this law;

• A peace officer or other law enforcement officer will not intentionally assault, interfere with, or obstruct the duly authorized representative of any news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network who is gathering, receiving or processing information for communication to the public; and

• A duly authorized representative of any news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network that is in a closed area described in this law will not be cited for the failure to disperse, a violation of a curfew, or a violation for gathering, receiving, or processing information. If the duly authorized representative is detained by a peace officer or other law enforcement officer, that representative will be permitted to contact a supervisory officer immediately to challenge the detention, unless circumstances make it impossible to do so.

• Specifies this law does not prevent a law enforcement officer from enforcing other applicable laws if the person is engaged in an unlawful activity (Sec. 2.b).

• Specifies this law does not impose, and will not be used as the basis for, criminal liability (Sec. 2.c).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes journalists have the right to attend and cover protests, rallies and other events, even in an area that has been closed by law enforcement.

Highlights:

• Alleges the Legislature intends that this act achieves parity in the access and protections for journalists and news media (Sec. 1).

• Specifies if peace officers close the immediate area surrounding any emergency field command post or any other command post, or establish a police line, or rolling closure at a demonstration, march, protest, or rally where individuals are engaged in activity that is protected, the following requirements will apply (Sec. 2.a):

• A duly authorized representative of any news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network may enter the closed areas described in this law;

• A peace officer or other law enforcement officer will not intentionally assault, interfere with, or obstruct the duly authorized representative of any news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network who is gathering, receiving or processing information for communication to the public; and

• A duly authorized representative of any news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network that is in a closed area described in this law will not be cited for the failure to disperse, a violation of a curfew, or a violation for gathering, receiving, or processing information. If the duly authorized representative is detained by a peace officer or other law enforcement officer, that representative will be permitted to contact a supervisory officer immediately to challenge the detention, unless circumstances make it impossible to do so.

• Specifies this law does not prevent a law enforcement officer from enforcing other applicable laws if the person is engaged in an unlawful activity (Sec. 2.b).

• Specifies this law does not impose, and will not be used as the basis for, criminal liability (Sec. 2.c).

Full Bill Text