# United States (Florida): Halo Law buffer zone around first responders, January 2025

Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 2 sources.

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

What we don't know: The sources cited do not state whether the Halo Law has been challenged in court (as of 2026-09-22).

On January 1, 2025, the "Halo Law" took effect in Florida, a state in the south-eastern United States. It creates a 25-foot (7.6-metre) buffer zone around first responders, such as police officers, firefighters and paramedics, while they are performing their duties, and anyone who enters the zone "to 'harass, impede or threaten' first responders after receiving a warning" faces up to 60 days in prison and a fine of US$500. The law applies to journalists as well as the public. The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, signed it in 2024.[1]

- Country: [United States](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/us)
- Where: Florida, United States
- Level of government: State or province
- Tactic: Access bans
- Head of government at the time: [Ron DeSantis](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/ron-desantis)
- Outcome: Sustained, January 1, 2025. In effect from 2025-01-01; the sources cited report no court order blocking it (as of 2026-09-22).
- Era: The 2020s

## What happened

Florida's "Halo Law," signed by the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, in 2024, took effect on January 1, 2025. Like Louisiana's buffer zone law of the same year, it sets a minimum distance that the public, including journalists, must keep from first responders performing official duties once warned to step back, and treats a violation as a crime.[1][2][3][4]

The law firm Phelps Dunbar grouped Florida's law with Louisiana's as two state laws raising First Amendment concerns for reporters covering police. It noted that both leave anyone recording police to judge a safe distance on the spot or risk arrest.[1][2][3][4]

Unlike Louisiana's law, Florida's had not been blocked by a court as of the sources cited.[1][2][3][4]

Status as of 2026-09-22: In effect. The sources cited report no court order blocking it.[4]

## What reason was given

The law was presented as protecting first responders at active scenes. It applies "anywhere that first responders are actively performing their duties by creating a 25-foot buffer zone to allow them to carry on their duties," according to Fire Law Blog.[2]

## What changed for reporting

Journalists covering police, fire and ambulance services in Florida must keep a 25-foot (7.6-metre) distance once warned, which limits their ability to document first responders' conduct at close range.[3]

## Timeline

- 2025-01-01: United States (Florida): Halo Law buffer zone around first responders, January 2025

## Who acted

| Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Ron DeSantis](https://thewaronnews.com/actors/ron-desantis) | ordered | Governor of Florida |

## Sources

1. New buffer zone laws in Louisiana and Florida: their impact on journalists' First Amendment rights. https://www.phelps.com/insights/new-buffer-zone-laws-in-louisiana-and-florida-their-impact-on-journalists-first-amendment-rights.html (Phelps Dunbar LLP).
2. Halo Law goes into effect in Florida. https://firelawblog.com/2025/01/01/halo-law-goes-into-effect-in-florida/ (Fire Law Blog, 2025-01-01).

## Claims cited

[1] Florida's Halo Law took effect. Quote: "The law goes into effect today, January 1, 2025." Source: Fire Law Blog, 2025-01-01. Halo Law goes into effect in Florida. https://firelawblog.com/2025/01/01/halo-law-goes-into-effect-in-florida/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/55, checked 2026-09-22.

[2] The law was framed as protecting first responders at active scenes. Quote: "The Halo Law applies anywhere that first responders are actively performing their duties by creating a 25-foot buffer zone to allow them to carry on their duties." Source: Fire Law Blog, 2025-01-01. Halo Law goes into effect in Florida. https://firelawblog.com/2025/01/01/halo-law-goes-into-effect-in-florida/ Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/56, checked 2026-09-22.

[3] The law requires the public and journalists to keep a set distance from first responders once warned. Quote: "anyone who enters the area to 'harass, impede or threaten' first responders after receiving a warning will face up to 60 days in prison and a $500 fine" Source: Phelps Dunbar LLP. New buffer zone laws in Louisiana and Florida: their impact on journalists' First Amendment rights. https://www.phelps.com/insights/new-buffer-zone-laws-in-louisiana-and-florida-their-impact-on-journalists-first-amendment-rights.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/57, checked 2026-09-22.

[4] No reversal or injunction against Florida's law was identified. Quote: "In Florida, the law goes into effect on January 1, 2025." Source: Phelps Dunbar LLP. New buffer zone laws in Louisiana and Florida: their impact on journalists' First Amendment rights. https://www.phelps.com/insights/new-buffer-zone-laws-in-louisiana-and-florida-their-impact-on-journalists-first-amendment-rights.html Claim: https://thewaronnews.com/claims/58, checked 2026-09-22.

Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2025-florida-halo-law-takes-effect. The War On News, CC BY 4.0.