RI H7550

Creates new felony crime of "unlawful interference with traffic" for standing, sitting, kneeling, or loitering on federal or state highways in ways that interfere with traffic or cause interruption, obstruction, distraction, or delay to motorists

First offense carries 1-3 years imprisonment with mandatory minimum of 60 days; second offense carries 3-5 years with mandatory minimum of 1 year; third offense carries 5-10 years with mandatory minimum of 2 years

If a death results from delaying an emergency vehicle due to highway interference, the charge becomes "unlawful interference with traffic, resulting in death" with 5-30 years imprisonment and 5-year mandatory minimum

Makes minor technical amendment to existing disorderly conduct statute, changing "he or she" to "the person" for gender-neutral language

Takes effect upon passage