5-14-4-1: OBSTRUCTING A PEACE OFFICER, FIREFIGHTER, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER, RESCUE SPECIALIST, OR VOLUNTEER BY USE OF UAS:
A. Except as provided in subsection C of this section, it is unlawful for any person to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly operate a UAS in a manner that obstructs, impairs, or hinders:
1. The enforcement of the penal law or the preservation of the peace by a peace officer, acting under color of his or her official authority;
2. The prevention, control, or abatement of fire by a firefighter, acting under color of his or her official authority;
3. The administration of medical treatment or emergency assistance by an emergency medical service provider or rescue specialist, acting under color of his or her official authority; or
4. The administration of emergency care or emergency assistance by a volunteer, acting in good faith to render such care or assistance without compensation at the place of an emergency or accident.
B. It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that the peace officer was acting in an illegal manner, if he or she was acting under color of his or her official authority. A peace officer "acts under color of his or her official authority" if, in the regular course of assigned duties, he or she makes a judgment in good faith based on surrounding facts and circumstances that he or she must act to enforce the law or preserve the peace.
C. Subsection A of this section does not apply if the person who operates the UAS: 1) obtains permission to operate the UAS from a law enforcement agency or other entity that is coordinating the response of peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical service providers, rescue specialists, or volunteers to an emergency or accident; 2) continues to communicate with such entity during the operation of the UAS; and 3) complies immediately with any instructions from the entity concerning the operation of the UAS.
D. As used in this section, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PROVIDER: Means a member of a public or private emergency medical service agency, whether that person is a volunteer or receives compensation for services rendered as such emergency service provider.
FIREFIGHTER: Means an officer or member of a Fire Department or fire protection or fire-fighting agency of the State, or any municipal or quasi-municipal corporation in this State, whether that person is a volunteer or receives compensation for services rendered as such firefighter.
PEACE OFFICER: Has the meaning provided in section 6-3-5 of this Code.
RESCUE SPECIALIST: Means a member of a public or private rescue agency, whether that person is a volunteer or receives compensation for services rendered as such rescue specialist.
VOLUNTEER: Means a person performing services to assist a peace officer, firefighter, emergency service provider, or rescue specialist at the site of an emergency or accident without compensation, other than reimbursement for actual expenses incurred. (Ord. 21, Series 2018)