HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1689

                  As Amended by the Senate

Title:  An act relating to impersonation of a law enforcement officer.

Brief Description:  Making it a misdemeanor to impersonate a law enforcement officer.

Sponsors:  Representatives Chappell, Springer, Appelwick, Riley, Campbell, Brough, Basich, J. Kohl and Johanson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, March 2, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, March 11, 1993, 98-0;

Amended by Senate.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 17 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Chappell; Forner; Johanson; Locke; Long; Mastin; H. Myers; Riley; Schmidt; Scott; Tate; and Wineberry.

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:  A person can commit the crime of criminal impersonation in either of two ways.  First, the crime may be committed by assuming a false identity and acting with an unlawful purpose.  Second, the crime may be committed by pretending to be a representative of another person and acting with an unlawful purpose.  The crime is a gross misdemeanor.

Summary of Bill:  The crime of criminal impersonation is amended to include two degrees.  The existing crime is designated first-degree criminal impersonation.

The new crime of second-degree criminal impersonation is created.  The crime is committed by claiming to be, or creating the impression that one is, a law enforcement officer and, under circumstances not amounting to the first-degree crime, acting with the intent to convey the impression that one is acting in an official capacity.

The second-degree crime is a misdemeanor.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S): The Senate amendment adds as an element of the crime the requirement that "a reasonable person would believe the person is a law enforcement officer."   That is, in order for an impersonation to be criminal, it must be convincing enough that a reasonable person would believe it.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Yeas 98