False reports to or communications with public safety entities.

1. Except as provided in subsection 2 , a person who reports or causes to be reported false information to a fire department, a law enforcement authority, or other public safety entity, knowing that the information is false, or who reports the alleged occurrence of a criminal act, knowing the act did not occur, commits a simple misdemeanor unless the alleged criminal act reported is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony, in which case the person commits a serious misdemeanor. 2. A person who reports or causes to be reported false information to a fire department, a law enforcement authority, or other public safety entity, knowing that the information is false, or who reports the alleged occurrence of a criminal act, knowing the act did not occur, commits a class “D” felony if the alleged criminal act reported is any of the following: a. A forcible felony under section 702.11 . b. Intimidation with a dangerous weapon under section 708.6 . c. An act of terrorism under chapter 708A . d. Unlawful possession of biological agents or diseases under chapter 708B . e. Any offense under chapter 712 . 3. If the reported false information involves a criminal act under subsection 2 and the reported false information results in serious bodily injury to or the death of another person, the person reporting the false information commits a class “C” felony. For purposes of this subsection , a person causes serious bodily injury or death when the report of false information contributes to the other person’s serious bodily injury or death. 4. Except as provided in subsection 2 , a person who telephones an emergency 911 communications center, knowing that the person is not reporting an emergency or otherwise needing emergency information or assistance, commits a simple misdemeanor. 5. Except as provided in subsection 2 , a person who knowingly provides false information to a law enforcement officer who enters the information on a citation commits a simple misdemeanor unless the criminal act for which the citation is issued is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony, in which case the person commits a serious misdemeanor. [R60, §1768; C73, §1566; C97, §2468; S13, §2468; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, § 13110, 13111; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §714.31, 714.32; C71, 73, 75, 77, §714.31, 714.32, 714.42; C79, 81, §718.6 ] 95 Acts, ch 89, §1 ; 2024 Acts, ch 1013, §1 Referred to in §34A.16 , 80F.1