Bill
Bill > A5402
NJ A5402
Creates offense of impersonating first responder; grades offense one degree higher than underlying offense.
summary
Introduced
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
In Committee
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill creates the new offense of impersonating a first responder for the purpose of aiding the commission of a crime or offense. This bill is similar to N.J.S.A.2C:28-8 which makes it a crime to impersonate a public servant or law enforcement officer with purpose to induce another to submit to such pretended official authority, or to otherwise to act in reliance upon that pretense. A person who commits the new offense is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree if the underlying offense is a disorderly persons offense. Otherwise, the offense is classified one degree higher than the underlying offense, except that where the underlying crime is a crime of the first degree, the offense is a first-degree. Under the bill, the offense is committed if a person impersonates or dresses as a first responder, assumes a false identity as a first responder, or makes a false or misleading statement regarding their own identity as a first responder for the purpose of committing a crime or offense and commits a crime or offense in such assumed character or false identity. Under the bill, the offense is graded as a crime of the fourth degree if the underlying offense is a disorderly persons offense. Otherwise, a crime under this bill is classified one degree higher than the underlying offense. This bill is based upon reported instances in California of individuals impersonating first responders, specifically fire fighters battling wildfires, for the purpose of committing various crimes amid the chaos and turmoil. The November 2024 drought warning status declared by Governor Murphy and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections Commissioner LaTourette remains in effect for New Jersey. With that status, the risk for wildfires and other public health risks requiring the assistance and presence of fire and first responder personnel persists. It is the sponsors' view that taking advantage of a crisis situation to commit criminal acts warrants enhanced penalties.
AI Summary
This bill creates a new criminal offense of impersonating a first responder with the intent to commit another crime. Under the proposed law, a person can be charged if they pretend to be a first responder (such as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or rescue squad member) by assuming a false identity, wearing their uniform, or making false statements about their identity, and then proceed to commit a crime while in that assumed role. The severity of the punishment depends on the underlying offense: if the original crime is a disorderly persons offense, it becomes a fourth-degree crime; for other offenses, the impersonation crime is graded one degree higher than the original offense (with a maximum of a first-degree crime if the underlying offense was already a first-degree crime). The bill is motivated by instances of criminals exploiting emergency situations, such as wildfires, by posing as first responders to commit crimes, and aims to deter such behavior by establishing enhanced penalties for this type of impersonation.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 03/06/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5402 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A5500/5402_I1.HTM |
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