Bill > HB1911

This bill amends Pennsylvania law to provide a comprehensive framework for recovering costs associated with "swatting" - a dangerous harassment tactic where someone makes a false report to emergency services, typically causing a large police response to an unsuspecting victim's location. The bill allows courts to order individuals convicted of swatting to reimburse various government entities and emergency responders for the full range of costs incurred during their response, including salaries, overtime pay, equipment usage, and time spent on investigation, arrest processing, report preparation, and court proceedings. For juveniles convicted of swatting, the bill permits courts to require parents or legal guardians to pay a portion of the costs if the juvenile cannot, while considering the family's financial circumstances and allowing for installment payments or cost modifications in cases of financial hardship. The bill also provides for enforcement of these cost recovery orders similar to civil judgments and specifies that reimbursement can be made to multiple entities that responded to the false emergency call. The new law will take effect 60 days after its passage, providing a significant legal mechanism to deter swatting by making perpetrators financially responsible for the resources they waste and the potential danger they create.

Justice

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb1911