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Committee adopts amendment adding date-of-birth and a new misdemeanor for refusal to identify
Summary
An amendment to the state’s false-name statute requires that people provide name, address and date of birth when an officer has reasonable suspicion, and authorizes a class C misdemeanor for willful refusal to identify in such circumstances. Members cautioned about discretion and possible enforcement effects.
The committee considered House Bill 34, which revises the false-name statute. The sponsor explained the amendment deletes a requirement that a person explain their purpose and adds a requirement to provide name, address and date of birth. The amendment also creates a class C misdemeanor for willfully refusing to identify oneself when an officer has reasonable suspicion.
Representative Jackson and Representative Wadsworth questioned how the bill defines "reasonable suspicion" and raised concerns that adding a misdemeanor could expand enforcement discretion. Wadsworth described a recent client who faced multiple charges after failing to provide identification while briefly stopping for a bathroom break and warned that a new misdemeanor could lead to overcharging in similar circumstances. The sponsor said the amendment is intended to provide a narrow remedy—charging failure to identify rather than using obstruction-of-governmental-operations statutes—and that other misdemeanor provisions were not changed.
After clarifying questions, the committee adopted the amendment, removed the portion requiring an explanation of purpose, and passed HB34 as amended by voice vote.
