Congress·In Committee

Public Safety: New Penalties for Fake Emergency Calls

Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov

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Key Points

This bill targets "swatting," which is when someone calls in a fake emergency—like a murder or a bomb threat—to trick the police into sending a SWAT team or other emergency responders to a specific person's house.
People caught making these fake reports would face up to 5 years in prison. If the fake call leads to someone getting seriously hurt, the person could get 20 years, and if someone dies, they could face life in prison.
Beyond prison time, the bill allows the government or victims to sue the person who made the fake call. The person would be required to pay back all the money spent on the police, fire, or rescue response.
The goal is to stop people from using emergency services as a weapon. These fake calls put innocent people and first responders in danger while wasting taxpayer money and emergency resources.

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Jan 9, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Jan 9, 2025

Introduced in House

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 286

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(28)

D: 9R: 19

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

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