HI HB643

Creates a new misdemeanor offense for harassment against an essential worker during a state of emergency proclaimed by the governor or mayor under Chapter 127A.

Defines harassment to include physical contact, insulting/taunting language, repeated unwelcome communications, anonymous calls at inconvenient hours, and coarse language that reasonably suggests intent to cause injury or property damage.

Defines "essential worker" as employees in air/ground transportation, construction, defense, law enforcement, energy, food and agriculture, grocery, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, telecommunications, retail, and water sectors, plus any person the governor or mayor deems essential during an emergency.

Amends emergency management law definitions to explicitly include pandemics as emergencies and hazards, adds pandemic preparedness and response to disaster relief, and includes personal protective equipment in the definition of emergency materials.

Takes effect July 1, 2050.