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Introduced on January 9, 2025 by David Kustoff
This bill aims to stop “swatting” — making false reports that trigger police or other emergency responses. It makes it a federal crime to intentionally send false or misleading information that is likely to be believed and expected to cause an emergency response, including messages sent by mail or other means that cross state lines. Penalties include up to 5 years in prison, up to 20 years if someone is seriously hurt, and up to life if someone dies, plus fines. It also lets those who spent money responding (like police, fire, or rescue) sue the person who caused the fake emergency to recover their costs. The bill defines “emergency response” to include deploying people or equipment, evacuation orders, or public warnings by public safety agencies or certain nonprofit fire/rescue groups .