South Carolina House Passes Bill Requiring 25-Foot Buffer Zone for First Responders

The measure now heads to the Senate as lawmakers debate the reasonable distance and potential constitutional concerns.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The South Carolina House has passed a bill that would require bystanders to step back 25 feet if a first responder orders them to move. The debate centered on whether 25 feet is a reasonable and enforceable distance, as well as whether the requirement infringes on constitutional rights.

Why it matters

The bill is intended to give officers and first responders more space to operate safely, but some lawmakers argue that most people cannot judge 25 feet on the spot, especially in a crisis situation. There are also concerns that the measure could violate the First Amendment.

The details

The bill, proposed by Rep. Case Brittain, R-Horry, would require bystanders to step back 25 feet if a first responder orders them to move. Supporters say this is necessary to allow first responders to do their jobs, while critics argue the distance is unrealistic and unconstitutional. During the debate, lawmakers measured the 25-foot distance using tape measures and phones, and some walked it out on the House floor.

  • The South Carolina House passed the bill on March 5, 2026.
  • The measure now heads to the South Carolina Senate for consideration.

The players

Rep. Case Brittain

A Republican representative from Horry County who introduced the bill, saying it is intended to give officers and first responders room to work.

Rep. Chris Wooten

A Republican representative from Lexington County who said the measure also addresses public safety for bystanders.

Rep. Jermaine Johnson

A Democratic representative from Richland County who questioned whether the 25-foot standard is realistic, asking "If us in this state legislature right now don't even know where 25 feet is, how are you going to expect a crying grieving mother to know where 25 feet is?"

Rep. Todd Rutherford

The Democratic House Minority Leader who argued the bill violates the First Amendment.

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What they’re saying

“This is to be preventative, this is to actually warn and say hey look guys I need space to operate because I'm doing a job.”

— Rep. Case Brittain (wrdw.com)

“It's also a public safety issue where folks that may be trying to get to a scene to check on someone or try to make sure things are okay or are not, they may put themselves in harm's way.”

— Rep. Chris Wooten (wrdw.com)

“If us in this state legislature right now don't even know where 25 feet is, how are you going to expect a crying grieving mother to know where 25 feet is.”

— Rep. Jermaine Johnson (wrdw.com)

“We argued over whether somebody can pray within 10 feet of their loved one being on the ground being shot having a heart attack and an EMS person can go step away and they have to go back 25 feet and can't even pray near their body — that's the ridiculousness of this bill.”

— Rep. Todd Rutherford, House Minority Leader (wrdw.com)

What’s next

The bill now heads to the South Carolina Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing tension between public safety concerns and constitutional rights, as lawmakers grapple with finding the right balance when it comes to regulating bystander behavior at emergency scenes.