Bill > AB327

This bill amends California Penal Code sections 148.3 and 653x to strengthen penalties for false emergency reporting and harassing 911 calls. Specifically, the bill establishes that for individuals 18 years or older, a second or subsequent violation of false emergency reporting or intentionally harassing 911 communications that results in an unnecessary emergency response can now be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony, instead of just a misdemeanor. The bill expands liability provisions so that individuals who make false emergency reports can be held responsible not only for the reasonable costs of the emergency response, but also for any property damage resulting from that response. An "emergency" is broadly defined to include any situation that could prompt a response from emergency vehicles, cause an evacuation, or activate the Emergency Alert System. The bill does not require state reimbursement for implementing these changes, as they relate to modifying criminal penalties. The intent is to deter repeated false emergency reporting and misuse of emergency communication systems by imposing more serious consequences for repeat offenders.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB327