California Senate Bill SB1411 Introduced / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: SB 1411INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Simitian FEBRUARY 19, 2010 An act to amend Section 529 of the Penal Code, relating to impersonation. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1411, as introduced, Simitian. Impersonation: Internet. Existing law makes it a crime to falsely impersonate another in either his or her private or official capacity, as specified. Existing law also makes it a crime to knowingly access and, without permission, alter, damage, delete, destroy, or otherwise use any data, computer, computer system, or computer network in order to devise or execute any scheme or artifice to defraud, deceive, or extort, or wrongfully control or obtain money, property, or data. For a violation thereof, in addition to specified criminal penalties, existing law authorizes an aggrieved party to bring a civil action against the violator, as specified. This bill would add to the impersonation provisions and make unlawful the knowing impersonation of any other person through or on an Internet Web site or by other electronic means, as defined, with a bad faith intent for purposes of injuring, defrauding, or deceiving another person or obtaining a benefit. The bill would, in addition to the specified criminal penalties, authorize an aggrieved party to bring a civil action against any person who violates that provision, as specified. Because the bill would add to an existing crime provision, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 529 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 529. (a)    Every person who falsely  personates   impersonates  another  person  in either his  or her  private or official capacity, and  ,  in  such   that assumed character  either   , does any of the following is guilty of a public offense punishable pursuant to subdivision (c)  :  1.   (1)    Becomes bail or surety for any party in any proceeding whatever, before any court or officer authorized to take  such   the  bail or surety  ;   .   2.   (2)    Verifies, publishes, acknowledges, or proves, in the name of another person, any written instrument, with intent that the same may be recorded, delivered, or used as true  ; or,   .   3.   (3)    Does any other act whereby, if done by the person falsely  personated   impersonated  , he  or she  might, in any event, become liable to any suit or prosecution, or to pay any sum of money, or to incur any charge, forfeiture, or penalty, or whereby any benefit might accrue to the party  personating   impersonating  , or to any other person  ;   .   (b) (1) Any person who knowingly impersonates, in any manner, or pretends to be any other person through or on an Internet Web site or by other electronic means with a bad faith intent for purposes of injuring, defrauding, or deceiving another person or obtaining a benefit is guilty of a public offense punishable pursuant to subdivision (c).   (2) For purposes of this paragraph, "electronic means" shall include opening an e-mail account or an account or profile on a social networking web site in another person's name.   Is   (c)     A   violation of subdivision (a) or (b) is  punishable by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment in the state prison, or in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both  such   that  fine and imprisonment.  (d) In addition to any other civil remedy available, an aggrieved party who suffers damage or loss by reason of violation of subdivision (b) may bring a civil action against the violator for compensatory damages and injunctive relief or other equitable relief pursuant to paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of subdivision (e) and subdivision (g) of Section 502.  SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.