The state House on Wednesday unanimously passed legislation introduced by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) that would increase penalties for impersonating a law enforcement officer and outline the illegal use of sirens and lights by a person not authorized to do so.

"I reintroduced this legislation, which the House unanimously passed last session, in response to a number of disturbing reports of motorists being pulled over and harassed by people impersonating law enforcement officers," Heffley said.In July of last year, a man who was impersonating an officer pulled a woman over as she was traveling toward Palmerton on Route 248 and threatened her with a weapon.Under House Bill 235 if a person pretends to be a law enforcement officer, the offense would be a third-degree felony, a penalty of seven years imprisonment and a $15,000 fine.Under current law, impersonating an officer is a second-degree misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.Under the legislation, a person who sells a vehicle with visual or audible warning systems to a person who is not authorized to possess such systems would commit a summary offense and, upon conviction, would be sentenced to pay a fine of $500 to $1,000.The legislation makes exceptions for antique vehicles and vehicles which are transported by the manufacturer or dealer for purposes of selling the vehicle. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.