# United States (Louisiana): 25-foot buffer zone law around police officers, May 2024

Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 6 sources.

Status: in effect, as of 2026-09-22.

On May 28, 2024, the governor of Louisiana, a state in the southern United States, Jeff Landry, signed a law that makes it a crime to stay within 25 feet (about 7.6 metres) of a working law enforcement officer after the officer has told a person to step back. The law applies to everyone, including journalists. Supporters described it as protecting officers' safety while they work. On January 31, 2025, a federal judge blocked its enforcement while a challenge to it is decided.[1]

- Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us)
- Where: Louisiana, United States
- Level of government: State or province
- Tactic: Access bans
- Head of government at the time: [Jeff Landry](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/jeff-landry)
- Outcome: Ongoing, January 31, 2025. Enforcement blocked by a preliminary injunction on 2025-01-31 while the case is pending; Louisiana's appeal was reported pending as of mid-2026.
- Era: The 2020s

## What happened

On May 28, 2024, the governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, signed a law creating a 25-foot (7.6-metre) zone around working law enforcement officers. Once an officer gives a verbal warning, anyone who stays within that distance commits a crime and can face jail.[2][3][4][1]

Nieman Lab, a publication about journalism, reported in August 2024 that the law limits the ability of journalists and bystanders to film police activity, including alleged misconduct, because 25 feet is farther than the distance from which most phone and body-worn video of police encounters is recorded. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a United States non-profit that provides legal help to journalists, added Louisiana guidance to its guide to recording laws.[2][3][4][1]

Journalists and civil rights observers challenged the law in federal court.[2][3][4][1]

Status as of 2026-09-22: Suspended by court order. A federal judge's preliminary injunction of January 31, 2025, an order that keeps the situation as it is while a case is decided, blocks enforcement (see the January 2025 entry). Louisiana's appeal was reported pending as of mid-2026.[4]

## What reason was given

Supporters described the law as protecting officers' safety while they perform their duties. Landry said on signing it, "This is part of our continued pledge to address public safety."[2]

## What changed for reporting

Journalists and others filming police in Louisiana had to stay at least 25 feet (7.6 metres) away once warned, or face jail, until a federal judge blocked enforcement on January 31, 2025.[3]

## Timeline

- 2024-05-24: United States (Louisiana): 25-foot buffer zone law around police officers, May 2024

## Who acted

| Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Louisiana Legislature](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/louisiana-legislature) | legislated | State legislature |

## Sources

1. A new Louisiana law limits the right of journalists to film police. https://www.niemanlab.org/2024/08/a-new-louisiana-law-limits-the-right-of-journalists-and-everyone-else-to-film-police-abuse/ (Nieman Lab, 2024-08-01).
2. Reporters Recording Guide: Louisiana. https://www.rcfp.org/reporters-recording-guide/louisiana/ (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press).
3. Louisiana law creates 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officers. https://www.fox8live.com/2024/05/29/louisiana-law-creates-25-foot-buffer-zone-around-working-law-enforcement-officers/ (WVUE Fox 8 (New Orleans), 2024-05-29).
4. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police. https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-blocks-enforcement-louisiana-25-225735750.html (Yahoo News / AP, 2025-01-31).
5. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police. https://lailluminator.com/2025/01/31/buffer-zone/ (Louisiana Illuminator, 2025-01-31).
6. HB173, 2024 Regular Session: bill history. https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=24RS&b=HB173&sbi=y (Louisiana State Legislature, 2024-05-24).

## Claims cited

[1] Governor Jeff Landry signed HB 173 into law as Act No. 259 on May 24, 2024; it took effect on August 1, 2024. Quote: "05/24 H Effective date: 08/01/2024. 05/24 H Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 259." Source: Louisiana State Legislature, 2024-05-24. HB173, 2024 Regular Session: bill history. https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=24RS&b=HB173&sbi=y Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/110, checked 2026-09-22.

[2] The law was framed as protecting officers performing their duties. Quote: "that person can't spit in my face when I'm making an arrest." Source: Nieman Lab, 2024-08-01. A new Louisiana law limits the right of journalists to film police. https://www.niemanlab.org/2024/08/a-new-louisiana-law-limits-the-right-of-journalists-and-everyone-else-to-film-police-abuse/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/49, checked 2026-09-22.

[3] People, including journalists, who remain within 25 feet of a working law-enforcement officer after being told to back up can face jail time under the law. Quote: "People can now face jail time in Louisiana for being within 25 feet of a working law enforcement officer who has asked or ordered them to back up." Source: WVUE Fox 8 (New Orleans), 2024-05-29. Louisiana law creates 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officers. https://www.fox8live.com/2024/05/29/louisiana-law-creates-25-foot-buffer-zone-around-working-law-enforcement-officers/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/50, checked 2026-09-22.

[4] A federal judge later blocked enforcement of the law. Quote: "The preliminary injunction will be effective while the case is pending." Source: Yahoo News / AP, 2025-01-31. Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police. https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-blocks-enforcement-louisiana-25-225735750.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/51, checked 2026-09-22.

Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2024-louisiana-enacts-police-buffer-zone-law. The War On News, CC BY 4.0.