Bill to increase penalties for swatting goes to House Floor

Making a false emergency call that a serious crime is underway is a crime in Minnesota.

But a lawmaker wants to toughen those penalties when a swatting call sends first responders to the home of an elected official, judge, prosecuting attorney, employee of a correctional facility, or peace officer.

“We know that swatting is something that can lead to deadly results,” House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring), sponsor of HF3757, told the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee two weeks ago.

The committee approved the bill Thursday and sent it to the House Floor.

Intentionally luring first responders to a false emergency endangers the safety of many people, Demuth said. “That puts those first responders at risk, it puts anyone that may be in that home at risk.”

Swatting that falsely reports crimes such as an imminent bombing or a hostage situation can divert a significant number of first responders away from what could be a true emergency incident, she said.

Swatting is currently a gross misdemeanor, but the proposal would make it a felony to swat an elected official, judge, prosecuting attorney, employee of a correctional facility, or peace officer, and impose a penalty of up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The bill would not change penalties for swatting that results in someone suffering great bodily harm or death. In that case, the crime is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.