U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is proposing a measure aimed at protecting federal law enforcement and government officers from harassment.

The bill is inspired by a similar protection action for law enforcement in Florida.

Moody announced that she’s introducing the “Halo Act” to protect federal officers when they’re executing official actions. The measure, partially rooted in immigration enforcement, would establish criminal penalties for obstructing immigration actions and bystanders would have to keep a 25-foot buffer between themselves and federal officers.

“As the wife of a law enforcement officer, former (Florida) Attorney General, and now United States Senator, I have always supported and fought for the selfless individuals who protect and serve our nation,” Moody said in a news release Thursday.

“I am appalled at the news reports of people harassing and targeting federal officers while they are simply trying to do their jobs, and this must end. I’m introducing the Halo Act to enact criminal penalties for those that threaten or impede these federal officers while they are faithfully executing their duties.”

Moody’s federal proposal mirrors a law that was established in Florida last year. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation (SB 184) in April 2024 enabling police, firefighters and paramedics to establish a 25-foot no-go zone around themselves, establishing a “halo” around their operation. Anyone who enters the area to harass, impede or threaten them after receiving a warning will face up to 60 days in prison and a $500 fine.

SB 184 was the pet project of Hialeah Republican state Rep. Alex Rizo, who sponsored versions of the measure with varying distances — up to 30 feet in some — for several Legislative Sessions.

Rizo dubbed his measure the “Halo bill.” By authorizing it, he said, “the Governor and Legislature are letting every law enforcement officer and first responder in the state know that we not only stand with them, but will continue to do whatever we must to protect and serve them, as they protect and serve us.”

Moody’s federal proposal would also use the 25-foot measure as a standard for bystanders to stay clear of an officer. It’s aimed at anyone who knowingly wants to “get in the way or interfere with the officer’s work, threaten the officer with physical harm or harasses the officer.”

Moody’s measure calls for a fine and up to five years in prison for violators, or both.

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Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics contributed to this report.