Bill > SF3372

This bill expands criminal penalties for "swatting," which is the act of making a false emergency report to trigger a law enforcement response. Specifically, the bill increases penalties for situations where false emergency calls result in serious harm or target specific public officials. Under the new provisions, if a false emergency call leads to someone's death, the offender can be sentenced to life imprisonment. If the call results in great bodily harm, the penalty increases to up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000. For false calls resulting in substantial bodily harm, the penalty remains up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The bill also increases penalties for deliberately making false emergency calls to the homes of elected officials, judges, prosecutors, correctional facility employees, or peace officers, raising the maximum sentence from one year to ten years and increasing the potential fine from $5,000 to $20,000. These changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2025, and will apply to crimes committed on or after that date, aiming to deter dangerous and potentially life-threatening false emergency reporting practices.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF3372&ssn=0&y=2025