HB599
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Create a new section of KRS Chapter 503 to provide a justification for the use of physical force or deadly physical force by a defendant operating a motor vehicle while fleeing the immediate area of an obstruction of a highway or public passage; amend KRS 525.015 to expand the elements of obstructing an emergency responder; provide enhanced penalties; allow restitution to an agency for the reasonable costs of an emergency response; amend KRS 525.140 to…
Introduced: February 9, 2026
Last action: February 17, 2026
Plain-language summary
This bill makes it easier to pursue criminal charges and civil lawsuits against people who block roads or interfere with emergency responders, and increases the penalties for doing so. It also creates a legal defense for drivers who use force while trying to leave an area where a road is being blocked. Agencies that respond to these situations could seek reimbursement for their costs, and individuals harmed by such blockages could sue for damages within…
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