Provides that a person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the second degree when a person pretends to be a servicemember or former servicemember, or a first responder, or as having received a decoration or medal; establishes a stolen valor fee.
Summary
Bill A02570 amends the penal law to establish that a person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the second degree if they pretend to be a servicemember, former servicemember, or first responder, or falsely claim to have received military or first responder decorations or medals. The bill also introduces a 'stolen valor fee' that would be levied on individuals convicted of these impersonation offenses. This fee is set at $250 and is in addition to any other penalties imposed by the court.
Impact
The bill will modify existing penal law by adding definitions for 'servicemember', 'former servicemember', 'first responder', and 'first responder agency'. It establishes new penalties for impersonation offenses related to military and first responder identities, thereby enhancing legal protections against fraud in these contexts. The introduction of the stolen valor fee aims to deter such impersonation and ensure that those who commit these offenses contribute to a fund for veterans' remembrance and cemetery maintenance.
Sentiment
The general sentiment around Bill A02570 appears to be favorable, as indicated by the unanimous support in the Assembly Codes Committee, which voted 20-0 to refer the bill favorably to the Ways and Means Committee. This suggests broad bipartisan support for the bill's intent to protect the integrity of military and first responder identities.
Contention
While there are no explicit points of contention noted in the available discussion, potential areas of debate could arise regarding the enforcement of the bill and the implications of the stolen valor fee. Some stakeholders may question the effectiveness of such fees in deterring impersonation or the administrative burden it may place on the judicial system. However, no specific opposition has been recorded in the committee discussions or voting history.
Same As
Provides that a person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the second degree when a person pretends to be a servicemember or former servicemember, or a first responder, or as having received a decoration or medal; establishes a stolen valor fee.
Provides that a person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the second degree when a person pretends to be a servicemember or former servicemember, or a first responder, or as having received a decoration or medal; establishes a stolen valor fee.
Provides that a person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the second degree when a person pretends to be a servicemember or former servicemember, or a first responder, or as having received a decoration or medal; establishes a stolen valor fee.