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Ending False Emergency Calls: Stricter Penalties for 'Swatting'

This new law increases penalties for intentionally making false emergency calls that lead to emergency service responses. It aims to protect citizens from dangerous and costly actions like sending police to a fake address. These changes are intended to improve public safety and reduce the burden on emergency services.
Key points
Increased prison sentences up to 5 years for intentionally making false emergency calls that trigger a response.
If a false alarm results in serious bodily injury, the penalty can be up to 20 years, and if death results, up to life imprisonment.
Victims or agencies incurring costs from emergency responses can seek compensation in civil court from those making false reports.
The act defines 'emergency response' as any deployment by public safety agencies or private rescue organizations, including evacuations and warnings.
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Status:
Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_4523
Sponsor: Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]
Process start date: 2021-07-19
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure, with full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source, always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HR_4523.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-07-19.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Increased prison sentences up to 5 years for intentionally making false emergency calls that trigger a response.
  • If a false alarm results in serious bodily injury, the penalty can be up to 20 years, and if death results, up to life imprisonment.
  • Victims or agencies incurring costs from emergency responses can seek compensation in civil court from those making false reports.
  • The act defines 'emergency response' as any deployment by public safety agencies or private rescue organizations, including evacuations and warnings.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-28.

What is the impact of this bill?

We don't know, that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law Security