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SB-264 • 2026

Impersonation of a peace officer or firefighter during a state of emergency or local emergency.

Impersonation of a peace officer or firefighter during a state of emergency or local emergency.

Crime Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Valladares (S) , Pérez
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on how local agencies will be affected by the new rules or under what circumstances impersonation would be considered a felony.

Making it Illegal to Pretend to Be a Police Officer or Firefighter During Emergencies

This law makes it against the rules to pretend you are a police officer or firefighter during emergencies, and it can be punished as either a misdemeanor or felony.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes impersonating a peace officer or firefighter during an emergency illegal.
  • Changes the punishment for this crime from just a misdemeanor to either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the situation.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who pretend to be police officers or firefighters during emergencies will face stricter punishments.

Terms To Know

misdemeanor
A less serious crime that can result in jail time of up to one year or a fine.
felony
A more serious crime that can lead to prison time for over one year.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the exact situations where impersonation would be considered a felony instead of just a misdemeanor.
  • It is unclear how local agencies will be specifically affected by these changes.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2025-04-16 California Legislative Information

    April 22 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.

  3. 2025-04-10 California Legislative Information

    From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  4. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 22.

  5. 2025-02-14 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  6. 2025-02-04 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 6.

  7. 2025-02-03 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 264, as amended, Valladares.
Impersonation of a peace officer or firefighter during a state of emergency or local emergency.
Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, authorizes the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency, as defined, under specified circumstances. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to impersonate a peace officer or an officer or member of a fire department or the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
This bill would make impersonating a peace officer or an officer or member of a fire department or the Office of the State Fire Marshal during a state of emergency or local emergency punishable as either a misdemeanor or a felony, as specified. By increasing the punishment of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory
provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF