Crimes.

Senators Pérez and Wiener propose comprehensive changes to California's impersonation laws while establishing new identification requirements for law enforcement personnel. The legislation expands existing prohibitions on impersonating peace officers, firefighters, utility workers, and other public officials to include any fraudulent impersonation through electronic or other means.

The bill requires all law enforcement personnel operating in California to visibly display identification showing their name or badge number while on duty, with an exemption for undercover operations. Law enforcement agencies gain explicit authority to request identification from individuals when there is probable cause or reasonable suspicion of impersonation. Violations of the new identification requirements would constitute a misdemeanor.

For bail fugitive recovery agents, the legislation prohibits using their position for immigration enforcement purposes and requires maintaining confidentiality of defendants' immigration status. The bill also tightens regulations on uniform vendors, requiring verification that purchasers are authorized personnel of the agency identified on the uniform.

Penalties for violations include fines up to $15,000 for manufacturing or selling fraudulent badges, and misdemeanor charges carrying potential jail time and fines for impersonation offenses. Local law enforcement agencies must seize fraudulent badges and insignia when filing related charges.

The measure includes provisions for state reimbursement of local agency costs as determined by the Commission on State Mandates, while specifying that certain mandates, such as new crime definitions, do not require reimbursement under the California Constitution.