VirginiaHB14922026 Regular SessionHouse

Impersonating a law-enforcement officer; clarifies definition of "facial covering," penalties.

Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Impersonating law-enforcement officer; penalties. Creates a Class 5 felony for impersonating a law-enforcement officer while wearing a facial covering, as that term is defined in the bill, and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent violation.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Tougher penalties for police impersonators

Virginia makes it a crime to pretend to be a sheriff, police officer, marshal, or other law-enforcement officer. A first offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second or later offense is a Class 6 felony. If someone does this while wearing a facial covering, a first offense is a Class 5 felony and a repeat offense is a Class 4 felony. The law defines a facial covering as an opaque mask, garment, headgear, or device that hides much of the face to conceal identity, such as a balaclava, tactical mask, gator, or ski mask.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 298 • No: 208

Senate vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 22 • No: 17

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 63 • No: 32

Senate vote 3/12/2026

Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote 3/11/2026

Senate substitute rejected by House

Yes: 0 • No: 99

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Courts of Justice Substitute rejected

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 27 • No: 13

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 5

House vote 2/12/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 35

House vote 2/6/2026

Reported from Public Safety with substitute

Yes: 16 • No: 6

House vote 2/6/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 4 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0867)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 867 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1492)

    4/1/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1492ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Conference report agreed to by Senate (22-Y 17-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026Senate
  11. Conference report agreed to by House (63-Y 32-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  12. Conference Report released

    3/14/2026
  13. House Conferees: Shin, Lopez, Wilt

    3/14/2026House
  14. Conferees appointed by House

    3/14/2026House
  15. House Conferees: Shin, Clark, Wilt

    3/12/2026House
  16. Conferees appointed by House

    3/12/2026House
  17. House acceded to request

    3/12/2026House
  18. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  19. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate
  20. Senate Conferees: Perry, Srinivasan, Stuart

    3/12/2026Senate
  21. Senate requested conference committee

    3/12/2026Senate
  22. Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 99-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026House
  23. Passed Senate with substitute (27-Y 13-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  24. Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

    3/10/2026Senate
  25. Courts of Justice Substitute rejected

    3/10/2026Senate

Bill Text

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