SENATE BILL NO. 47

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice

on January 21, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Senator Craig)

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-174 of the Code of Virginia, relating to impersonation of law-enforcement officer while committing additional act; penalties.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 18.2-174 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 18.2-174. Impersonating law-enforcement officer; penalties.

A. Any person who falsely assumes or exercises the functions, powers, duties, and privileges incident to the office of sheriff, police officer, marshal, or other peace officer, or any local, city, county, state, or federal law-enforcement officer, or who falsely assumes or pretends to be any such officer, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense of this subsection is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

B. Any person who commits a violation of subsection A while (i) committing or attempting to commit a violation of § 18.2-31, 18.2-32, 18.2-47, 18.2-61, 18.2-67.1, 18.2-67.2, 18.2-67.3, or 18.2-67.4 or (ii) circumventing, bypassing, or attempting to circumvent or bypass any security measure of any business, commercial building, or residence is guilty of a Class 6 felony. A second or subsequent offense of this subsection is punishable as a Class 5 felony.

2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation is ________ for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities; therefore, Chapter 725 of the Acts of Assembly of 2025 requires the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission to assign a minimum fiscal impact of $50,000. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation is _______ for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.