SB 571: Emergencies: crimes.

This bill amends the penal code to enhance crimes during emergencies. It authorizes courts to consider impersonating emergency personnel as a factor in aggravation for looting offenses. Impersonating a first responder without authorization is made a crime, punishable as a misdemeanor or felony. The bill also makes it a crime to impersonate a first responder on the internet or by electronic means during an evacuation or within 30 days of its termination to defraud others. Additionally, the bill updates the definition of aggravated arson to reflect changes in the dollar amount of property damage. The amendments are intended to be applied prospectively and do not benefit defendants who committed crimes before the effective date.