Concerning false identification as a peace officer.

Impersonation penalties with protections for lawful expression

Beginning June 11, 2026, falsely identifying as a peace officer is a gross misdemeanor. The person must intend to appear to act officially, and a reasonable person must believe they are an officer. Claims, vehicles, clothing, or insignia can create that impression. This offense applies only when the conduct does not amount to first-degree criminal impersonation. Covered officers include general-authority, limited-authority, reserve, specially commissioned, and federal peace officers. Federal officers must enforce U.S. law and have authority to carry firearms and make arrests without warrants. Covered insignia includes words such as police, sheriff, constable, marshal, trooper, and federal law-enforcement agency names. Agency-authorized use of insignia issued while the person was commissioned provides a defense. Agency policies also govern items kept to honor deceased officers or retained by retired officers. Retired officers are presumed authorized to keep insignia unless agency policies prohibit retention or the agency requests its return. Constitutionally protected displays and depictions remain allowed for cultural, historical, political, religious, educational, newsworthy, or public-interest purposes, including art, satire, and parody. The law also revises second-degree criminal impersonation to cover knowingly distributing a forged digital likeness as genuine. This requires intent to defraud, harass, threaten, intimidate, or serve another unlawful purpose, plus knowledge or reasonable grounds to know it is fake. That offense is also a gross misdemeanor. Public-interest uses, including satire and parody, remain protected. Online platforms, mobile service providers, and telecommunications or broadband providers remain shielded from liability based solely on another person's content.