OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington House has approved Substitute House Bill 2203, which would create the crime of “reckless interference with emergency operations” for drivers who knowingly bypass official road closures due to hazardous conditions.

The offense would be a misdemeanor, increasing to a gross misdemeanor if a first responder is injured during a rescue or if a minor under 16 or a vulnerable adult is in the vehicle . The bill also calls for a 30-day license suspension for a misdemeanor conviction and 60 days for a gross misdemeanor.

Courts would be required to order reimbursement to public agencies for emergency response costs, capped at $25,000 per incident.

Rep. Joshua Penner, R-Orting, said the measure followed December flooding incidents in which rescue crews were repeatedly dispatched to assist drivers who ignored barricades.

“A lot of those rescues were folks that had driven around barricades that were erected to let folks know not to drive through standing water. It’s a very dangerous situation when folks drive around these emergency barricades,” Penner said.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.