CA SB571

Courts may consider impersonating emergency personnel as an aggravating factor when sentencing defendants convicted of looting (Section 463 violations)

Creates a new crime for non-first responders who wear or use first responder uniforms, insignia, or credentials to fraudulently impersonate first responders in areas under evacuation orders, punishable as a misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail and $2,000 fine) or felony (up to $20,000 fine)

Makes it a crime to impersonate a first responder online or by electronic means during an evacuation order or within 30 days of its termination for purposes of defrauding another

Clarifies that amendments to the $10,100,000 property damage threshold for aggravated arson apply prospectively only and cannot benefit defendants who committed crimes before the effective date

The bill's provisions are contingent upon the enactment of AB 468 of the 2025-26 Regular Session