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Specifically, if anyone “accosts, insults, taunts, or challenges a law enforcement officer with offensive or derisive words, or by gestures or other physical contact, that would have a direct tendency to provoke a violent response,” they would be guilty of a misdemeanor and face up to 90 days in jail and fines.
The penalties for rioting are also increased. Those charged with rioting would be held for a minimum of 48 hours. Also, an additional provision would criminalize aiming “a light, a laser pointer, an activated horn or other noise-making device towards the head” of first responders.
Not all Republicans voted for the bill and shared concerns that parts of it violate the First Amendment rights and strain the judicial system. But they do support the bill if some parts were amended in the House.
The bill was sponsored by State Sen. Danny Carroll, a Republican. He filed the proposal in response to the violent riots in Louisville last summer that were spurred on by Taylor's death, caused by a botched police drug raid. One cop was indicted on a wanton endangerment charge.
Republicans hold supermajorities in both the Kentucky House and Senate.
Democratic lawmakers warned that the proposal could be used to unfairly target peaceful protesters, who they define as anyone who protests on behalf of socialist causes.
State Sen. Gerald Neal, a Democrat who represents Louisville, called the legislation “unnecessary” and “unreasonable.”
“This is a hammer on my district,” Neil said. “I personally resent it. This is beneath this body.”
“This is a hammer on my district,” Neil said. “I personally resent it. This is beneath this body.”
He wept.
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