Bill Text: VA HB1955 | 2013 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Impersonating a law-enforcement officer or other public safety personnel; impersonating, penalty.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-03-16 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0431) [HB1955 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2013-HB1955-Chaptered.html

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CHAPTER 431 An Act to amend and reenact §§15.2-1612, 18.2-174, and 18.2-174.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to impersonating a law-enforcement officer or other public safety personnel; penalty. [H 1955] Approved March 16, 2013

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That §§15.2-1612, 18.2-174, and 18.2-174.1 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§15.2-1612. Wearing of same or similar uniforms by unauthorized persons; penalty.

Any unauthorized person who wears a uniform identical to or substantially similar to a standard uniform used by an office of sheriff in accordance with §15.2-1610 with the intent to deceive a casual observer or with the intent to impersonate the office of sheriff, shall be is guilty of a Class 3 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

For purposes of this section, "substantially similar" means so similar in appearance as to be likely to deceive the casual observer.

§18.2-174. Impersonating law-enforcement officer; penalty.

Any person who shall falsely assume or exercise assumes or exercises the functions, powers, duties, and privileges incident to the office of sheriff, police officer, marshal, or other peace officer, or who shall falsely assume or pretend assumes, or pretends, to be any such officer, shall be deemed is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

§18.2-174.1. Impersonating certain public safety personnel; penalty.

Any person who willfully impersonates, with the intent to make another believe he is, a certified emergency medical services personnel, firefighter, including any special forest warden designated pursuant to §10.1-1135, fire marshal, or fire chief is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

2.  That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to §30-19.1:4, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation is $4,048 for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities and cannot be determined for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

3.  That the provisions of this act shall not become effective unless an appropriation of general funds effectuating the purposes of this act is included in a general appropriation act passed by the 2013 Session of the General Assembly, which becomes law.

4.  That the General Assembly determines that the requirements of the third enactment of this act have been met.