Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2165: Peace officer false ident.
Status: Signed into law, March 19, 2026
Concerning false identification as a peace officer.
What the bill says
An act Relating to false identification as a peace officer; amending RCW 9A.60.045; adding a new section to chapter 9A.60 RCW; and prescribing penalties. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to false identification as a peace officer; amending RCW 9A.60.045; adding a new section to chapter 9A.60 RCW; and prescribing penalties. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 9A.60 RCW to read as follows: (1) A person is guilty of false identification as a peace officer and (b) A reasonable person would believe the person is a peace officer. (2) False identification as a peace officer is a gross misdemeanor. (3) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person identified as a peace officer by an item bearing an insignia of a law enforcement agency was commissioned by the agency in that capacity when the item was issued to them by the agency, and the person is still authorized by the agency's policies to display or use the item for the purpose for which it is being displayed or used. (4)(a) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the possession of an item bearing an insignia of a law enforcement agency by any of the following persons, to the extent authorized by the agency's or (ii) Any person who was commissioned by the agency as a peace officer and has kept an item bearing the agency's insignia after retirement from the agency. (b) For the purposes of …
Sponsors
- Edwin Obras (D) · primary sponsor
- Darya Farivar (D)
- Cindy Ryu (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Shelley Kloba (D)
- Alex Ramel (D)
- Tarra Simmons (D)
- Strom Peterson (D)
- Liz Berry (D)
- Osman Salahuddin (D)
- Steve Tharinger (D)
- Alicia Rule (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 114, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 66; nays, 29; absent, 0; excused, 3.
- : House concurred in Senate amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 9, 2026): 66 yea, 29 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 3, 2026): 30 yea, 18 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Law & Justice: Do pass as amended (February 23, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 11, 2026): 56 yea, 38 nay, passed
- House Committee on Community Safety: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (January 22, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: CRIMES
Common questions
- What is HB2165?
- HB2165 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Peace officer false ident.
- What does HB2165 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to false identification as a peace officer; amending RCW 9A.60.045; adding a new section to chapter 9A.60 RCW; and prescribing penalties. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2165?
- Signed into law as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2165?
- Edwin Obras (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2165?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2165&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.