SF4019 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Criminal penalty increase for impersonating a peace officer
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
To strengthen penalties for impersonating a peace officer and to deter deceptive behavior that can mislead the public or facilitate other crimes. The bill would expand when impersonation is punishable and raise consequences, especially in more serious or repeat offenses.
Main Provisions
Subdivision 1 – Impersonating a Peace Officer with Intent to Mislead
- Makes falsely impersonating a peace officer with intent to mislead a misdemeanor.
- Penalty: up to 2 years in prison or a fine up to $4,000, or both.
Subdivision 2 – Gross Misdemeanor for Certain Related Acts
- Creates a gross misdemeanor when the impersonation occurs while committing another crime or for specific acts (or combinations of acts), with higher penalties.
- Examples of acts that can trigger the gross misdemeanor:
- Gaining access to a public building or government facility that is not open to the public without legal authority.
- Directing or ordering another person to act or refrain from acting.
- Violating certain traffic or siren provisions under Minnesota law.
- Operating a motor vehicle marked with words identifying it as a law enforcement vehicle (e.g., police, patrol, sheriff, deputy, trooper, state patrol, conservation officer, agent, marshal) or with insignia, lettering, or colorable imitation that would lead a reasonable person to believe the vehicle is a law enforcement vehicle (including badges, stars, shields, etc.).
Subdivision 3 – Felony for Prior Violations
- If the violation occurs within five years of a previous violation, it becomes a felony.
- Penalty: up to 10 years in prison or a fine up to $20,000, or both.
Amendment Scope
- The above changes modify Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.4751 to increase penalties and expand the scope of conduct treated as impersonation.
Significance and Changes to Law
- Elevates penalties for impersonation from simple misrepresentation to a spectrum that includes misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony levels.
- Specifically targets acts that increase risk to public safety, such as unauthorized access to restricted spaces, directing others under false authority, and using or mimicking official law enforcement markings and vehicles.
- Introduces a higher risk consequence for repeat offenses within five years, creating a potential felony rather than a misdemeanor for individuals with prior violations.
Notable Terms Used in the Bill (key concepts)
- impersonating a peace officer
- mislead / intent to mislead
- misdemeanor
- gross misdemeanor
- felony
- law enforcement vehicle
- insignia / markings / colorable imitation
- badges / stars / shields
- restricted access / public building / government facility
- repeat offense / previous violation
- Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.4751
Relevant Terms - impersonating a peace officer - misdemeanor - gross misdemeanor - felony - law enforcement vehicle - insignia - badges - sirens - access to restricted buildings - repeat violation - penalties (jail time, fines)
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 02, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 02, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Creates/clarifies the offense of impersonating a peace officer with intent to mislead and ties penalties to Subd.1."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.4751 to set penalties related to impersonating a peace officer with intent to mislead; establishes misdemeanor-level penalties (and language suggesting possible felony exposure) for this offense.",
"modified": [
"Defines the basic offense and initial penalties (misdemeanor up to 2 years or fine up to $4,000, or both)."
]
},
"citation": "609.4751",
"subdivision": "Subd.1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Enumerates acts that trigger gross misdemeanor penalties (e.g., gaining access to a public building or government facility, acting without legal authority, directing or ordering another to act or refrain).",
"Connects to penalties up to five years or a fine up to $10,000 or both."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds gross misdemeanor penalties for impersonation when additional prohibited acts are committed (e.g., while committing another crime or certain acts involving access, authority, or signaling).",
"modified": [
"Expands penalties to gross misdemeanor level for specified aggravating conduct."
]
},
"citation": "609.4751",
"subdivision": "Subd.2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Imposes felony penalties for a violation within five years of a previous violation of this section."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Creates felony-level penalties for repeat or prior violations of impersonating a peace officer within five years.",
"modified": [
"Sets enhanced imprisonment and fines (e.g., up to 10 years and fines up to $20,000 or both) for subsequent offenses."
]
},
"citation": "609.4751",
"subdivision": "Subd.3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Describes unlawful use or display of markings, lettering, or insignia to identify a vehicle as a law enforcement vehicle."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Addresses use of a motor vehicle marked with the words or insignia of law enforcement or a colorable imitation thereof to mislead the public.",
"modified": [
"Ties offense to impersonation provisions and cross-references vehicle identification rules."
]
},
"citation": "169.64",
"subdivision": "Subd.2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Covers directing or ordering another person to act or refrain from acting as part of the impersonation offense."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Further specifies acts related to impersonation involving direction or authority and related misconduct.",
"modified": [
"Expands conduct deemed inappropriate under impersonation of an officer."
]
},
"citation": "169.64",
"subdivision": "Subd.3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Specifies that certain violations of 169.64 subdivisions 2–4 or siren provisions in 169.68 constitute offenses under this act."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Relates to violations of sections 169.64 subdivisions 2, 3, or 4 or siren provisions of 169.68 as part of the impersonation offense.",
"modified": [
"Integrates 169.64 subdivisions and 169.68 siren provisions into the impersonation penalties."
]
},
"citation": "169.64",
"subdivision": "Subd.4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cites the siren provisions referenced in the impersonation offense.",
"modified": [
"Links siren-related violations to the impersonation penalties described in 609.4751 Subds.1–3."
]
},
"citation": "169.68",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Connects the display or use of law enforcement markings to the impersonation penalties where the vehicle would be mistaken for a law enforcement vehicle."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Relates to provisions governing the identification of law enforcement vehicles; referenced in the impersonation offense.",
"modified": [
"Cross-references 169.98 Subd.1 in the context of vehicle identification and impersonation."
]
},
"citation": "169.98",
"subdivision": "Subd.1"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee