PREFILED JAN 07 2025
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REFERENCE TITLE: impersonation; veteran; armed forces |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session 2025
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HB 2030 |
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Introduced by Representative Blackman
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AN ACT
amending title 13, chapter 24, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 13-2414; relating to obstruction of public administration.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 13, chapter 24, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 13-2414, to read:
13-2414. Impersonating a veteran; classification
A. A person commits impersonating a veteran of the United States armed forces if the person knowingly pretends to be a veteran and engages in any of the following conduct with the intent to induce another to submit to the person's pretended official authority or to rely on the person's pretended official acts:
1. Impersonating a veteran of the United States armed forces to obtain employment or government contracts, to secure votes, campaign contributions or political advantages or to claim veteran benefits such as health care, education or disability compensation.
2. Wearing, displaying or claiming entitlement to any award in any branch of the United States armed forces, including the following:
(a) Medal of Honor.
(b) Distinguished Service Cross.
(c) Distinguished service medal.
(d) Silver Star Medal.
(e) Legion of merit.
(f) Distinguished flying cross.
(g) Bronze Star Medal.
(h) Purple Heart.
(i) Meritorious Silver medal.
(j) Commendation medal.
(k) Achievement Medal.
3. Falsifying or altering military documents, including any Certificates of Release or discharge from active duty, or personnel files.
4. Falsely wearing, for personal benefit, any combat-related or special skills badges and tabs not lawfully earned through military service.
B. It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that the veteran the person pretended to be did not in fact exist or that the pretended veteran did not in fact possess the authority claimed by the pretended veteran.
C. If the person is serving as a state, county, municipal or district elected official at the time the person is convicted of a violation of this section, the person must be removed from that office within ten calendar days after sentencing.
D. Impersonating a veteran is a class 4 felony. Impersonating a veteran is a class 3 felony if the violation involved a benefit with a value of at least $5,000 but less than $10,000. Impersonating a veteran is a class 2 felony if the violation involved a benefit with a value of at least $50,000 and the person is not eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release from confinement on any basis except pursuant to section 31-233, subsection A or B until the sentence imposed by the court has been served, the person is eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07 or the sentence is commuted.
Sec. 2. Short title
This act may be cited as the "Master Sergeant Orlando Dona Valor Act".