Beyer Bills Signed into Law Oct. 7

Impersonating a police officer acts to take effect in 60 days
 
HARRISBURG – A three-bill package of public safety bills sponsored by state Rep. Karen Beyer (R-Lehigh/Northampton) has been approved by the state House and Senate and signed into law by the governor on Oct. 7.
 
“I’m very pleased that the Senate saw the merit and necessity of these bills and passed all three without an amendment, enabling them to go to the governor, who signed them promptly into law,” Beyer said. “These new laws will guarantee that impersonating a police officer is punished uniformly across the Commonwealth as the serious offense that it is.”
 
Impersonating an officer of the law becomes a second-degree misdemeanor in all municipalities under Beyer’s legislation, and is punishable by up to two years in jail and a fine up to $5,000, according to Pennsylvania’s Crimes and Offenses Code.
 
The inspiration for the legislation was a conversation between Beyer and her brother, William Brown, a detective for Westmoreland Country District Attorney’s office who has been a police officer for more than 30 years.
 
The Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police support the bills.
 
All three bills are now law. House Bill 105 becomes Act 61 of 2010; House Bill 106 is Act 62 of 2010; and House Bill 107 is Act 63 of 2010. The bills will take effect 60 days from Oct. 7.
 
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