Bill > HR286

This bill amends Section 1038 of title 18 of the United States Code to create more comprehensive criminal and civil penalties for "swatting," which is the act of making false reports to emergency services with the intent to provoke a dangerous response. The bill establishes that anyone who intentionally provides false or misleading information that could reasonably be expected to cause an emergency response, either through interstate communication or other means, can be criminally prosecuted. Penalties range from fines and up to 5 years in prison for basic offenses, to up to 20 years if serious bodily injury results, and potentially life imprisonment if a death occurs. Additionally, the bill creates a civil liability mechanism allowing victims to sue perpetrators for expenses related to emergency responses. The bill broadly defines "emergency response" to include deployments of personnel, evacuation orders, public warnings, and actions by law enforcement, fire, rescue, and crime prevention agencies. By expanding the legal definition and increasing potential consequences, the bill aims to deter swatting incidents and provide more robust legal tools to prosecute those who make such false reports.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/286/all-info