Unlawful Interference with Traffic (H 7550)

We opposed legislation that would subject to felony penalties any person who "stands, sits, kneels, or otherwise loiters on any federal or state highway" and interferes with traffic or distracts or delays a motorist. Among other things, this bill would criminalize peaceful leafletting or panhandling on roadway medians and also potentially make felons of individuals who engage in a spontaneous rally or demonstration on a highway that "distracts" drivers. We argued that this bill was both unnecessary and constitutionally problematic.