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History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1926
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to the crime of false personation
Purpose
To strengthen the penalty for knowingly misrepresenting an individual's identity to a police officer.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: removes the requirement that a person must be informed of the consequences of knowingly misrepresenting himself or herself to a police officer. Therefore, the statute would only require that an individual knowingly misrepresent their identity to a police officer. This legislation changes the crime of false personation from a "B" to an "A" misdemeanor.
Existing law
A person is guilty of false personation when after being informed of the consequences of the act, he or she knowingly misrepresents his or her identity to a police officer. Currently, this offense is a "B" misdemeanor.
Justification
This legislation removes the unnecessary requirement that an impersonator be informed of the consequences of his or her actions before they may be considered guilty of false personation. Also, the bill stiffens the penalty for such an offense. Stealing a person's identity to avoid prosecution for a crime is a serious offense which warrants severe punishment.
The impetus for this legislation was an incident in Rochester where an arrested individual used an innocent man's identity to conceal his true name and address from the police. It took the innocent man a great deal of time and effort to clear his name of this incident. Under the current law, the false impersonator would receive only up to a $500 fine or three months in prison.
This legislation not only would make it easier to prove that an individual committed this offense but also would provide that the crime of false personation is appropriately punished.
Legislative history
2007-2008 - Passed Senate 2009-2010 - Referred to Codes
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first day of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.