Code of the District of Columbia

§ 22–1931. Obstructing, preventing, or interfering with reports to or requests for assistance from law enforcement agencies, medical providers, or child welfare agencies.

(a) It shall be unlawful for a person to knowingly disconnect, damage, disable, temporarily or permanently remove, or use physical force or intimidation to block access to any telephone, radio, computer, or other electronic communication device with a purpose to obstruct, prevent, or interfere with:

(1) The report of any criminal offense to any law enforcement agency;

(2) The report of any bodily injury or property damage to any law enforcement agency;

(3) A request for ambulance or emergency medical assistance to any governmental agency, or any hospital, doctor, or other medical service provider, or

(4) The report of any act of child abuse or neglect to a law enforcement or child welfare agency.

(b) A person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 or imprisoned not more than 180 days, or both.