Plain English Breakdown
The official source mentions a 'specified reason' for why no state reimbursement is needed but does not list what that reason is.
Stricter Penalties and Costs for False Emergency Reports
This law makes repeat false emergency reports punishable as either a misdemeanor or felony if the person was at least 18 during their first offense, and requires offenders to pay for property damage caused by the response.
What This Bill Does
- Changes a second or later offense of falsely reporting an emergency from only a misdemeanor to either a misdemeanor or a felony.
- Applies these higher penalties if the person was at least 18 years old when they committed their first false report.
- Requires people convicted of these crimes to pay for property damage that happens because of the emergency response, in addition to existing costs for the response itself.
- States that no state reimbursement is needed for local agencies regarding costs created by this act.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who have previously been found guilty of making false emergency reports or using 911 to annoy others, provided they were at least 18 during the first offense.
- Public agencies that respond to these emergencies and may receive payment for costs and property damage.
Terms To Know
- Misdemeanor
- A less serious crime with lighter punishments than a felony.
- Felony
- A more serious crime that can result in prison time and heavier penalties.
- State-mandated local program
- A rule where the state requires local agencies to do something, often creating costs for them.
Limits and Unknowns
- The text does not specify exactly how much property damage a person must pay.
- The bill summary mentions 'a specified reason' for no reimbursement but does not explain what that specific reason is in this excerpt.
- This law only changes penalties for repeat offenders who were at least 18 during their first offense; it does not change rules for first-time reporters or those under 18.