Congress·In Committee·H.R. 286

Public Safety: New Penalties for Fake Emergency Calls

Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025

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No legislative action in over 90 days.

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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.