Terroristic Threatening

Terroristic Threatening. (a) A person commits the crime of terroristic threatening if the person knowingly makes a false report that a circumstance dangerous to human life exists or is about to exist and (1) places a person in fear of physical injury to any person; (2) causes evacuation of a building; or (3) causes serious public inconvenience. (b) A person convicted under this section may be punished by imprisonment for a term not to exceed ten years, or a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars, or both. Source: PL 12-83, § 3, modified. Commission Comment: PL 12-83, which contained findings, title, severability, and savings clauses, became effective on January 11, 2002. According to PL 12-83: Section 1. Findings. The Legislature finds that the integrity of the Commonwealth’s schools, courthouses, hospitals and other public buildings is suffering because of an increase in phone threats and other activities of a terrorist nature. The productivity of these public institutions is impaired as a result of the emergency evacuation of public buildings in order to ascertain whether the threats are real and thus guarantee the safety of the general public. The Legislature finds that the frequency and severity of these threats has risen to the level where the conduct needs to be criminalized, in order to stop these disruptions to the public welfare. Section 2. Title. This act shall be known as the Terroristic Threatening Act.