Makes it a serious crime to make fake emergency calls that cause 'swatting' incidents.
This bill would make it a more serious federal crime to purposely make fake emergency calls, known as 'swatting.' It would broaden the kinds of false calls that lead to federal charges. It would also let emergency responders get back their costs. This aims to protect communities by stopping dangerous and expensive fake emergencies.
Today, federal law penalizes false information about specific threats like terrorism. This bill would expand that to include intentionally making fake emergency calls about any state or federal crime or public safety danger. It would also clearly define what an 'emergency response' means, covering actions by both government and private non-profit public safety groups.
HR 286 · 119th Congress · January 9, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10
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