The Minnesota Senate voted on Wednesday to increase criminal penalties for impersonating a law enforcement officer, sending the bill to Governor Tim Walz for his signature. The measure passed by a unanimous 67-0 vote. The House passed the same measure 134-0 in April.

Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) is a co-sponsor of the bill.

“What happened to Melissa and Mark Hortman and John and Yvette Hoffman last year shook all of us to our core,” Senator Nelson said. “This bill won't undo any of those horrors, but it will at least send a clear message that impersonating a peace officer is a serious crime, and we will treat it that way.”

The bill grew out of the events of June 14, 2025, when a gunman dressed in a police uniform and driving a vehicle outfitted with police markings knocked on the door of then-House Speaker Melissa Hortman's Brooklyn Park home. He announced himself as a police officer, then murdered both Mark and Melissa Hortman. Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot at their Champlin home the same morning by the same man, who also visited other legislators.

Under current law, falsely impersonating a law enforcement officer is a misdemeanor. Under the new law, the base crime becomes a two-year felony. More serious impersonation conduct, like using police lights or sirens, driving a vehicle marked like a squad car, flashing police equipment to make someone believe you're an officer, becomes a five-year felony. Any crime committed while impersonating an officer also carries an enhanced penalty on top of any underlying charge.

The bill also requires licensed peace officers to identify themselves by name, employer, and badge or ID number when performing standard police functions like stops, detentions, or arrests. The requirement does not apply to undercover officers unless they are detaining or arresting someone.

The bill is supported by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, Law Enforcement Labor Services, the Minnesota State Patrol Troopers Association, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit.

It will take effect August 1, 2026.