Bill > H1899

This bill amends Massachusetts law to increase the penalties for willfully and maliciously communicating false information to public safety answering points (PSAPs) or emergency response services providers. The key provisions include: 1. Making it a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a $200 fine for a first offense of falsely reporting an emergency, and a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail or a $1,000 fine for subsequent offenses. 2. Making it a felony punishable by up to 5 years in state prison or 2.5 years in county jail, and a fine of up to $5,000, if the false report is likely to cause great bodily harm or death and such harm results. 3. Imposing additional penalties, including up to 2.5 years in jail and a $5,000 fine, if the false report is motivated by bigotry or bias, or is intended to deprive someone of their constitutional rights. 4. Requiring individuals convicted under this law to complete a diversity awareness program. 5. Allowing victims to bring civil actions against those who make false reports and recover damages. 6. Requiring courts to order defendants to make restitution to emergency services providers for costs and damages resulting from the false report, considering the defendant's ability to pay.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1899