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AB-1872 • 2026

False reporting.

False reporting.

Crime Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Ta
Last action
2026-04-08
Official status
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify exact penalties for a second offense or provide reasons why no state reimbursement is required.

Making False Emergency Reports More Serious

AB-1872 increases the punishment for making false emergency reports or prank calls to 911 as a misdemeanor or felony if it is a second offense and the person was at least 18 years old when they committed the first offense.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes a second or later false report of an emergency or prank call to 911 punishable as either a misdemeanor or felony for adults who did it before.
  • Extends liability provisions so that individuals convicted of making false reports are responsible for paying public agencies for property damage caused by the emergency response.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who make false emergency reports or prank calls to 911, especially if they have done it before as adults.
  • Public agencies that respond to emergencies and incur costs due to false reports.

Terms To Know

Misdemeanor
A crime less serious than a felony but more serious than an infraction, often punishable by up to one year in jail.
Felony
The most serious type of crime that can be punished with time in prison or even death (in some cases).

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify the exact penalties for a second offense.
  • Requires no reimbursement from the state to local agencies, but does not explain why.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  2. 2026-03-18 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (March 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  3. 2026-03-02 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  4. 2026-02-13 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 15.

  5. 2026-02-12 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1872, as introduced, Ta.
False reporting.
Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to report an emergency to specified government entities knowing that report to be false. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to initiate communication with the 911 emergency system with the intent to annoy or harass another person.
This bill would make a 2nd or subsequent violation of these provisions punishable as a misdemeanor or felony for a person who was 18 years of age or older at the time the person committed the prior offense or offenses. By increasing the penalty for existing crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law makes an individual convicted of the crimes described above liable to a public agency for the reasonable costs of an emergency response by the public agency.
The bill would
extend those liability provisions to property damage incurred as a result of the emergency response.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF