Stricter Federal Penalties for False Emergency Calls and Hoaxes (Swatting).
This law significantly increases federal penalties for intentionally conveying false information that triggers an emergency response, commonly known as "swatting." Perpetrators face severe prison sentences, especially if the hoax results in injury or death, and are required to pay for the full cost of the emergency services deployed.
Key points
Imposes severe criminal penalties (up to 5 years, up to 20 years for serious injury, up to life for death) for making false reports that cause an emergency response.
The person responsible for the hoax is financially liable for all expenses incurred by responding agencies (police, fire, rescue) during the unnecessary emergency action.
The law broadly defines an "emergency response" to include the deployment of personnel, equipment, evacuation orders, or public warnings by public safety agencies.
Expired
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