This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.4751, to increase the criminal penalties for impersonating a peace officer. It reclassifies the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony, with potential imprisonment of up to two years and fines up to $4,000 for impersonating a peace officer with intent to mislead. Additionally, if the impersonation occurs while committing specific acts, such as gaining unauthorized access to public buildings or directing others without legal authority, the penalties increase to a felony with imprisonment of up to five years and fines up to $10,000. The bill also introduces enhanced penalties for individuals who commit other crimes while impersonating a peace officer, with the severity of the penalty depending on the nature of the underlying crime.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a duty for individuals identifying as peace officers to disclose their identity, including the law enforcement agency they represent, their name, and identification number. It outlines specific conditions under which individuals may identify as peace officers and includes provisions for undercover officers. Violations of these identification requirements can result in misdemeanor charges unless the individual is a licensed peace officer or meets certain criteria. The bill is set to take effect on August 1, 2026, and will apply to crimes committed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.4751