Bill > H3130

This bill aims to increase the penalties for providing false information to public safety personnel, which results in the unnecessary dispatch of emergency personnel. Specifically, it introduces new provisions to punish individuals who willfully and maliciously communicate false information to a public safety answering point (PSAP) or police officer, leading to the dispatch of emergency services to a nonexistent emergency. The penalties range from imprisonment in a house of correction for up to 2.5 years and/or a fine of up to $2,500 for a first offense, to imprisonment in state prison for up to 10 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000 for a second or subsequent offense, depending on whether bodily injury or death occurred as a result of the police response. The bill also clarifies that it does not apply to calls made in good faith.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H3130