Jamming a highway, street or sidewalk is a misdemeanor in the state, but the proposed legislation would up the punishment to a mandatory $3,000 fine. The proposal also would allow a driver who "unintentionally causes injury or death” to a person obstructing a roadway to be exempt from prosecution.
The proposed bill comes after a year of demonstrations against police brutality and racial injustice across the country, and state Rep. Ron M. Gant, the bill's sponsor, said it would promote "law and order."
Gant did not return phone calls and emails seeking comment.
