Subcommittee advances bill making impersonation of police a first‑offense felony
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Summary
The Criminal Law Subcommittee voted to report Senate Bill 47 as amended, which raises impersonating a law‑enforcement officer while committing other crimes to a first‑offense felony and expands covered locations to include government buildings.
Senate Bill 47, introduced to the Criminal Law Subcommittee by Senator Craig, would make impersonating a law‑enforcement officer while committing additional crimes a first‑offense felony rather than the current second‑offense felony. Craig said the change was prompted by a recent violent incident and by changes since the bill's prior 2013 iteration.
Committee members questioned whether the bill's language—originally listing "business, commercial building, or residence"—covered government or public buildings. Counsel and the sponsor recommended explicitly adding government buildings; the committee adopted a friendly amendment to broaden the locations covered. Nathan Green, speaking for the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys, testified in support of the bill.
After discussion the committee moved, seconded and reported the bill as amended. The subcommittee first reported SB 47 unanimously (10–0) and, after a motion to reconsider, voted to report and refer the amended bill to appropriations. The committee anchored its action in the need to close the gap that, proponents said, could allow impersonators to harm residents who believe callers in uniform are legitimate.
The subcommittee's action sends SB 47 to the next stage of review; the bill's text will be adjusted to explicitly include government/public buildings before full floor consideration.
