Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced
Summary
Expands criminal and civil penalties for swatting. This bill would make it a crime to intentionally send false or misleading information when that information could reasonably cause an emergency response and would let responders sue to recover costs from false reports.
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- Public safety agencies and not-for-profit fire or rescue organizations could recover expenses they paid for emergency or investigative responses.
- People targeted by false reports would get broader protection because the law would cover false claims that mimic serious federal crimes and false reports sent by mail or across state lines.
- Perpetrators could face prison time, including up to 5 years for general offenses and up to life imprisonment if a false report causes a death.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Recover emergency response expenses
If enacted, this bill would let any party recover expenses they paid for an emergency or investigative response to an intentional false report. The civil right applies when the false information fits the bill's two criminal pathways, including reports sent through mail or interstate means. The bill also defines "emergency response" to include sending personnel or equipment, evacuation orders, and public warnings by federal or State public-safety agencies or private nonprofit fire or rescue groups. This recovery right would take effect upon enactment.
Stronger penalties for false reports
If enacted, this bill would make it a federal crime to intentionally give false or misleading information that causes an emergency response. It creates two ways to be charged: when the false report reasonably suggests certain listed federal crimes, or when it is sent by mail or interstate means and is likely to cause a response. A basic offense could bring up to 5 years in prison or a fine. If serious bodily injury results, penalties could be up to 20 years; if death results, penalties could be up to life in prison.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scott, Rick [R-FL]
FL • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
AL • R
Sponsored 1/9/2025
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 1/9/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov