Bill > H3531

This bill amends South Carolina law to explicitly include text messaging as a form of 911 call abuse, expanding existing prohibitions on misusing emergency services. Specifically, the bill adds a new provision (numbered as subsection (4)) that makes it unlawful to text 911 in such a volume that it disrupts emergency service. The bill maintains the existing penalties for 911 call abuse, which include potential imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to $200, or both. The law already prohibits other forms of 911 abuse, such as using profane language to harass dispatchers, making repeated nuisance calls, intentionally failing to disconnect a call, or deliberately making false reports. The bill aims to modernize existing telecommunications abuse statutes by recognizing text messaging as a potential method of interfering with emergency communication systems. The amendment will take effect upon approval by the Governor of South Carolina.